The word scent smells like a mystery! It sounds a lot like sent and cent, so it's hard to tell whether the "s" or the "c" in scent is silent. Keep reading to learn the answer — it may surprise you!
Word Origin: Following the Scent
In order to learn more about the pronunciation of scent, we must look into its etymology (origin). Scent comes from the Old French word sentir (sawn-teer), which means "to feel, perceive or smell," and was shortened to sent in English.
The word became scent in the 17th century. Scholars believe that the "c" may have been borrowed from the Middle English words ascend and descend (and therefore, ascent and descent). It also could have come from the increasing influence of the word science in 1600's Europe. Either way, scent has always been pronounced with a /s/ sound.
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Is S or C Silent in Scent?
So, which is it? Is the "s" or "c" silent in scent? The answer is: neither is silent. They work together as a digraph in the word scent to create the /s/ sound. Some may argue that the "c" is silent because you only hear the /s/ sound, but because "c" always makes an /s/ sound before an "e," it's not silent in scent.
Scent is not the only word to follow this spelling rule — but that's not to say that "sc" always makes a /s/ sound. You'll find this letter combination in lots of different English words with many different etymologies.
More SC Words
If you take a moment to think about it, you can probably come up with more words that start with "sc" that also make a /s/ sound. You can probably think of several that include "sc" but aren't pronounced like /s/ as well! Take a look at these words that use the "sc" consonant combination in different ways.
/s/ Sounds
When the "sc" digraph comes before an "e" or an "i," as it does in scent, it typically makes a /s/ sound. These words typically have roots in the Old French or Greek languages. Words that have an "sc" digraph include:
- discipline
- scene
- sciatic
- science
- scintillating
- scion
- scissors
Some of these words originally started with a "c" in their native languages. Scissors, for example, comes from the Old French cisoires, which means "cutting instrument." The "sc" part was added in the 15th century to conform with the Latin stem sciss- ("to cut").
/sh/ Sounds
The "sc" digraph can also make a /sh/ sound. These words often have Italian or Germanic origins. Notice that some seem to follow the "i" and "e" vowel rules above, but are still pronounced as /sh/ based on their languages of origin. These words include:
- conscious
- conscientious
- eschew
- fascism
- luscious
- schnauzer
- schtick
Yiddish, originally a German dialect, is another origin of several "sc" words with a /sh/ sound. The Yiddish words schtick, schmuck and schnoz all have German origins (stück, shmok and schnauze). Other words, such as luscious, come from Middle English spellings (licious, short for delicious).
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/sk/ Sounds
The "sc" letter combination also works as a consonant blend in some words, rather than a digraph, because you can hear both letters. Many of these words began in Greek and went through French, which changed the "k" for the modern "c." Words that use the "sc" blend as a /sk/ sound include:
- scar
- schedule (the British pronunciation uses the /sh/ sound)
- scheme
- schism
- schizophrenia
- school
- scone
- screen
Now you know why some "sc" words sound like they have a silent "s" or "c," but don't. In many cases, these words follow clear English spelling rules. But words with different origins may need their own spelling memorization. It's all part of becoming a better writer, speller and reader!
The Tricky World of Spelling
Just when you think you know how to spell English words correctly, a tricky word like scent crosses your path. Improving your spelling skills can be a lot easier than it looks. Silent "c" words and silent "s" words aren't the only kinds of words that use silent letters. Check out a list of silent "t" words that might also be confusing when reading. If you'd like more spelling help, take a look at 13 more standout spelling rules that you should know.
I'm an expert in linguistics and language etymology, specializing in English language intricacies and phonetics. My extensive knowledge in this field allows me to delve into the fascinating world of word origins, pronunciation, and spelling rules. The topic at hand, the pronunciation of the word "scent," is one that I can address with confidence and precision.
The article explores the question of whether the "s" or the "c" is silent in the word "scent." Drawing from my expertise, I can provide additional insights and expand on the concepts introduced in the article. The word "scent" has a rich etymological background, tracing its roots to the Old French word "sentir," meaning "to feel, perceive, or smell." The evolution of the word involved a transformation from "sent" to "scent" during the 17th century.
The article correctly notes that neither the "s" nor the "c" is silent in "scent." Instead, they form a digraph, working together to create the /s/ sound. The inclusion of the "c" in "scent" may have been influenced by words like "ascend" and "descend" from Middle English or the growing impact of the word "science" in 1600's Europe.
Expanding on this, it's crucial to recognize that the "sc" combination in English can produce various sounds based on its context. In words where "sc" appears before "e" or "i," such as in "discipline" or "science," it typically makes a /s/ sound. However, the article rightly points out that not all "sc" combinations follow this rule, as seen in words like "conscious" or "eschew," where it produces a /sh/ sound.
Moreover, the "sc" combination can function as a consonant blend in words like "school" or "screen," where both the "s" and "c" sounds are audible, creating a /sk/ sound. The complexity of English spelling rules is highlighted, as certain words may deviate from the general patterns based on their linguistic origins.
In essence, this exploration of the pronunciation of "scent" and the broader discussion of "sc" combinations showcases the intricate nature of English phonetics and spelling rules. Understanding these nuances contributes to becoming a proficient writer, speller, and reader. If you have further questions or wish to explore more aspects of language, feel free to inquire.
