202k views
4 votes
Which three letters could signal that c is pronounced /s/?

a. l, e, i
b. o, u, y
c. i, e, y
d. o, u, a

User Channy
by
7.2k points

2 Answers

6 votes

Answer:

The three letters that could signal that "c" is pronounced as /s/ are i, e, and y. In English, the letter "c" can have two different sounds: /k/ and /s/. When "c" is followed by the letters i, e, or y, it usually makes the /s/ sound. For example: - In the word "city," the "c" is followed by an "i" and is pronounced as /s/. - In the word "cent," the "c" is followed by an "e" and is pronounced as /s/. - In the word "cycle," the "c" is followed by a "y" and is pronounced as /s/. Therefore, option c (i, e, y) is the correct answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

User Thatdankent
by
8.3k points
1 vote

Final answer:

The three letters that can signal a /s/ pronunciation for the letter c are e, i, and y, referring to the concept of a soft c in English phonics.

Step-by-step explanation:

The three letters that could signal that c is pronounced /s/ are e, i, and y.

This makes the c soft.

When a c has one of these three letters right after it, it is called a soft c and spells the /s/ sound, as opposed to a hard c, which spells the /k/ sound and typically occurs before other letters.

For example, in the word 'cent,' the letter c is followed by e and is pronounced as /s/.

Similarly, in 'city' the c precedes an i, and in 'cyst' it is followed by y, both of which result in it being pronounced as /s/.

User Sean Routledge
by
7.8k points