Hard and Soft c and g

The letters c and g each have two sounds. Usually c says /k/, as in 'cat', and g says /g/, as in 'got'. These are called hard sounds. But when c comes right before e, i, or y, it usually says /s/, as in 'city', 'cent', and 'ice'. That is soft c.

When g comes before e, i, or y, it often says /j/, as in 'gem', 'giant', and 'page'. That is soft g. Look at the letter after c or g to decide. Some words like 'get' and 'girl' break the g rule, so check that the word makes sense.

• 1c and g each have a hard and a soft sound.
• 2Before e, i, or y, c says /s/.
• 3Before e, i, or y, g often says /j/.