Which letter of the word 'comb' is not spoken?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is Option 4, which states that the letter 'b' in the word 'comb' is not spoken. Here is a detailed explanation supporting this:

1. **Explanation for Option 4 (Correct Answer):**
   - In English, the word 'comb' is pronounced as /koʊm/. The 'b' at the end of the word is silent. This is a common feature in English where certain consonants, particularly at the end of words, are not pronounced. The silent 'b' in 'comb' is a result of historical pronunciation changes in the English language. Therefore, Option 4 is correct because the letter 'b' is indeed not spoken.

2. **Explanation for why other options are incorrect:**
   - **Option 1 (c):** The letter 'c' in 'comb' is pronounced as a hard 'k' sound. It is the initial sound in the word and is clearly spoken, making this option incorrect.
   - **Option 2 (o):** The letter 'o' in 'comb' is pronounced as the long 'o' sound /oʊ/. It is an essential part of the word's pronunciation and is clearly spoken, so this option is incorrect.
   - **Option 3 (m):** The letter 'm' in 'comb' is pronounced as the 'm' sound, which is the final sound in the spoken word. It is clearly articulated, making this option incorrect.

In conclusion, the letter 'b' is the only letter in the word 'comb' that is not spoken, which is why Option 4 is the correct answer.