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G

The seventh letter in the Roman alphabet, G,

A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z

The letter G was created by the Romans because they felt that C was not an adequate letter to represent both /k/ AND /g/. Fascinatingly, the alleged inventor is a known historical figure, Spurius Carvilius Ruga (who flourished around 230 BC). G, which at this time took the place of the letter Z, came to represent the sound /g/. As the sound /k/ did, /g/ also developed palatal and velar allophones which is the reason why today, G has different sound values in all Romance languages and English (due to French influence).

In English, the letter can be pronounced as a "soft G" (SAMPA: [dZ]), as in: giant, ginger, geology, or it can be pronounced as a "hard G" (SAMPA: [g]), as in: goose, gargoyle, game.

Golf represents the letter G in the NATO phonetic alphabet.

G is also:

See also: Two-letter combinations starting with G:

Words beginning with the letter G, suitable for teaching children the alphabet

  • garbage can
  • gentle
  • George
  • gerbil
  • Germany
  • ghost
  • giant
  • giggle
  • ginger snap
  • giraffe
  • girl
  • glad
  • gladiola
  • go
  • governess
  • Grandmother, Grandfather
  • green
  • grin
  • gum
  • guppy
  • gypsy