If you look at the word "eight," the spelling looks very strange. Why does E-I-G-H-T say /eɪt/? The answer lies in one of English's most reliable (if unusual) spelling patterns: EIGH = /eɪ/, with the GH completely silent.
The Pattern: EIGH = /eɪ/
Whenever you see the letters EIGH together, they make the /eɪ/ sound (the long A sound). The GH is always silent in this pattern. Think of it as two parts: EI (which says /eɪ/) + silent GH.
Core EIGH Words
More EIGH Words to Practice
- sleigh /sleɪ/ - a sled pulled by horses or reindeer
- neigh /neɪ/ - the sound a horse makes
- weigh /weɪ/ - to measure weight
- eighteen /ˌeɪˈtiːn/ - the number 18
- eighty /ˈeɪti/ - the number 80
- eighth /eɪtθ/ - number 8 in a sequence
- reign /reɪn/ - a king's period of rule
Why Is the GH Silent?
Old English and Middle English pronounced GH as a sound similar to the German "ch" in "Bach" (a guttural /x/ sound). Over time, English speakers stopped making this sound, but the spelling stayed. So GH became silent in many positions, including after EI.
This is why you also see silent GH in patterns like:
- -IGHT: night, light, right, fight (GH silent, I says /aɪ/)
- -AUGHT/-OUGHT: caught, taught, bought, thought (GH silent)
The Homophones Trap
Because of this pattern, English has some confusing homophones (words that sound the same but are spelled differently):
- weigh / way / whey - all say /weɪ/
- eight / ate - both say /eɪt/
- neigh / nay - both say /neɪ/
- reign / rain / rein - all say /reɪn/
Memory Trick
To remember that EIGH says /eɪ/, think of the sentence: "Weigh eight freight sleighs." Every word in that sentence uses the EIGH pattern and says /eɪ/. Practice saying it fast!