Sound Right

Silent P when ⟨p⟩ is not pronounced

⟨ps⟩ — silent P at the start of a word

Mostly in words of Greek origin. The ⟨p⟩ is silent and only the ⟨s⟩ is pronounced.

Two ways to see this: You can think of ⟨ps⟩ as a silent ⟨p⟩, or as an unusual spelling of /s/ — see the S sound page. Both are valid.

Common psychology words

psych psychiatric psychiatrist psychiatry psychic psycho psychological psychologist psychology psychotic

Other psych- words

psyche psychedelic psychical psychoanalysis psychoanalyst psychoanalytic psychobabble psychodynamic psychogenic psychokinesis psychopath psychopathic psychopathology psychopathy psychosis psychosocial psychosomatic psychotherapeutic psychotherapist psychotherapy

Pseudo- family

pseudo pseudomonas pseudonym pseudoscientific

Other Greek-origin words

psal psalter psi psilocybin psoriasis

⟨pt⟩ — silent P before T

Common words

receipt temptation comptroller asymptote

Greek and proper nouns

ptolemaic ptolemy ptomaine

⟨pn⟩ — silent P before N

Mostly medical terms of Greek origin.

pneumatic pneumocystis pneumonia pneumonic

⟨pb⟩ — silent P before B

In compound words where the seam is hidden.

cupboard raspberries raspberry

Proper nouns

campbell