H

In English the letter H has one pronunciation, or it can be silent.

Note that the examples are in two columns. The first column provides an example of the sound when it is word initial (at the beginning of the word). The second column provides an example of the sound when it is word internal (in the middle of the word). The third column provides examples of the sound when it is word final (at the end of the word).

Click on the sample words to listen to the sound files. Pay attention to the sound of the letters in bold.

letter IPA * examples
h h hot
(ht)
mishap
(mIshp)
 
silent hour
()
  though
()
honor
(n)

*IPA means International Phonetic Alphabet. Learn more about phonetics and the IPA.

Note that English does not have words that end in an aspirated H. Notice also that there are words that end in letter combinations that make the H silent, such as the –gh in the word though. There are some letter combinations where H assists in producing other sounds. Here are some examples:

laugh
(lf)
washcloth
(wkl)
fish
(fI)

Related lessons:

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