Decoding exercises: "sc"

The letter combination "sc" is pronounced very predictably as /sk/ or /s/. This article sets out some words and rules teachers can use to help their students decode written words that have this sequence. Also, the few exceptions are highlighted.

"Sca", "sco", "scu", etc.
"C" sounds /k/ everywhere except in "ce", ci", and "cy", i.e. followed by "a", "o", "u" or a consonant, or at the end of the word. This means "sc" sounds /sk/ in this context.


 * At the begininng of the word: scan, scale, scare, scope, score, scream, screen


 * In the middle of the word: describe, discount, discover, discuss, escape, landscape, rescue


 * At the end of the word: disc (also disk), mollusc (AmE is mollusk)

Followed by one vowel
Always as /s/.
 * At the beginning of the word: scenario, scene, scent, scimitar, scintillating, scissors, scythe /saɪð/


 * In the middle of the word: adolescent, ascend, descend, discern, discipline, fascinate, fluorescent, incandescent, miscellaneous, obscene, obsolescence, oscillate, transcendent
 * Exceptions as /k/: ASCII /ˈæskɪ/, sceptic (AmE is skeptic)
 * Exceptions as /ʃ/: fascism, fascist


 * Ending in "sce" (see also silent e): acquiesce, coalesce, reminisce

Followed by two or more vowels

 * As /s/
 * At the beginning of the word: science
 * In the middle of the word: omniscient
 * As /ʃ/
 * with "sci": conscious, prosciutto

Homophones

 * scent - cent - sent; scene - seen;