Ending with ck

Learn why /k/ is spelled ck right after a short vowel.

The /k/ sound has several spellings. When /k/ comes at the end of a one-syllable word right after a short vowel, we usually spell it ck. Look at 'duck', 'sock', 'back', and 'kick'. Each has a short vowel and then ck.

The c and k make one sound together, so 'duck' has three sounds: /d/ /u/ /k/. If there is a consonant before the /k/, we just use k, as in 'milk', 'tank', and 'desk'. So when you spell a word ending in /k/, check what comes right before it.

• 1ck says /k/ and counts as one sound.
• 2Use ck right after a short vowel.
• 3After a consonant, use just k.