I was going to say that "nch" is also an indicator of a "ch" sound, but then we have "conch", don't we, which has a "k" sound.
conch /kɒŋk, kɒn(t)ʃ/
▶noun (pl. conchs /kɒŋks/ or conches /ˈkɒntʃɪz/)
My wife grew up in southern Florida. We've spent a lot of time there, including some time in Key West - which styles itself "The Conch Republic." It's always "conk." Anyone who says it any other way is a first-time visitor (who didn't pay attention to the guidebook).This is the first time I have come upon the suggestion that conch be pronounced conk
Mind you, it's not a word that I use, or hear, often.
I was thinking about David Fincher (ch), the filmmaker, but then I thought about Brian Urlacher (k), the Chicago Bears' linebacker. I used to think, "why Fincher with ch and Urlacher with k?"I was going to say that "nch" is also an indicator of a "ch" sound, but then we have "conch", don't we, which has a "k" sound.
Oh, I see there are some exceptions...JamesM said:aching (k) but caching (sh)
If a vowel precedes the "ch" we must pronounce "k" then?
The best you can get in English are general guidelines. There is rarely a "must".![]()
Thank you, James.The best you can get in English are general guidelines. There is rarely a "must".
(Besides, my guideline was "ending in 'ch' and preceded by a consonant." I can't think of a guideline that would help when it's in the middle of the word.)
Nudibranch is another with a mixed Latin (nudus) and Greek origin (branchia). "Branch" doesn't look very Greek. It's a type of colorful sea slug popular in salt water aquariums if you haven't heard of them.I was going to say that "nch" is also an indicator of a "ch" sound, but then we have "conch", don't we, which has a "k" sound.
Eunuch = K from Latin from Greek, Pentateuch = K (from the Biblical word list and Greek)I can't think of a word in English ending in "uch" that doesn't have the "ch" sound (other than names taken from other languages such as Baruch).
Interesting comment, but overstated, I think. English law has statutes (Acts of Parliament) which in principle give new content to the law on a constant basis.I think English reading and English law have one thing in common - precedent.
It is all precedent-based.
Nudibranch is another with a mixed Latin (nudus) and Greek origin (branchia). "Branch" doesn't look very Greek. It's a type of colorful sea slug popular in salt water aquariums if you haven't heard of them.
Eunuch = K from Latin from Greek, Pentateuch = K (from the Biblical word list and Greek)