When is the Letter 'L' Silent in English? / Words and Rules for Silent letter ’l’

When is the Letter 'L' Silent in English? / Words and Rules for Silent letter’l’

Silent “L” Patterns
Admittedly, the silent “L” isn’t that predictable. If an “L” is found towards the end of the word, before the letters “f,” “v”, “k” and “m,” but after the letter “a,” then it’s usually silent (behalf, calve, walk, almond). In many of these instances, the silent L lengthens the previous vowel sound, which gives the slight impression of the “L” /l/ sound.
Another pattern where the silent “L” is found is after the letters “ou” and before “d” (would). Keep in mind that these aren’t set rules, nor are they the only instances in which the “L” is silent. They are just common arrangements that also have some exceptions; for example, the “L” in valve is not silent.
Silent “L” Words
Here is a list of words with a silent “L.”
almond /ˈɑːmənd/
balk /bɔːk/
balm /bɑːm/
behalf /bɪˈhæf/
calf /kæf/
calm /kɑːm/
calve /kæv/
chalk /tʃɔːk/
colonel /ˈkɜːrnl/
could /kʊd/
folk /fəʊk/
half /hæf/
halve /hæv/
palm /pɑːm/
psalm /sɑːm/
salmon /ˈsæmən/
salve /sæv/
should /ʃʊd/
stalk /stɔːk/
talk /tɔːk/
walk /wɔːk/
would /wʊd/
yolk /jəʊk/
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