Lexical items containing both “q” and “h” typically feature the digraph “qu,” representing a single phoneme /kw/. This combination is frequent in English, appearing in common words like “quick,” “quiet,” and “question.” Less common are words where “q” and “h” appear separately, such as “mosque-like” or hyphenated compounds formed with “q-tip.” The digraph “qh,” representing two distinct sounds, is extremely rare in English.
The “qu” sequence has a rich etymological history, often tracing back to Latin and Old French influences. Its consistent pronunciation and spelling contribute to orthographic regularity, simplifying decoding for readers. Understanding this digraph’s function is foundational for both spelling and pronunciation acquisition. This predictable letter combination simplifies literacy development, particularly for young learners.
