In the word 'giant', is the letter 'g' soft or hard?

Study for the Phonics and Phonological Awareness Test. Access interactive flashcards and multiple-choice quizzes, each with hints and explanations. Prepare for your assessment!

Multiple Choice

In the word 'giant', is the letter 'g' soft or hard?

Explanation:
The letter g can be hard (as in go, gum) or soft (as in giant, gym). In giant, g is soft because it’s followed by i, which typically makes the /dʒ/ sound—the same sound as the letter j in jam. That soft /dʒ/ sound occurs before e, i, or y, so g here acts like a soft g. If g came before a, o, or u, it would usually be the hard /ɡ/ sound, as in gate, goat, or gum. So the g in giant is soft.

The letter g can be hard (as in go, gum) or soft (as in giant, gym). In giant, g is soft because it’s followed by i, which typically makes the /dʒ/ sound—the same sound as the letter j in jam. That soft /dʒ/ sound occurs before e, i, or y, so g here acts like a soft g. If g came before a, o, or u, it would usually be the hard /ɡ/ sound, as in gate, goat, or gum. So the g in giant is soft.

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