Which of the following is a characteristic pattern found in the pronunciation of English words?

The pattern of hard "g" preceding "e" and "i" is a notable characteristic in English pronunciation. This pattern refers to the sound of the letter "g" when it appears before the letters "e" or "i," which typically represents a soft sound, as in "giraffe" or "genius." However, the presence of "g" before these vowels does not always follow this rule. An example of the hard "g" sound is found in words like "gadget" and "giga," where it retains its hard sound despite the following vowel.

Recognizing this pattern is crucial for understanding phonetics in English, as it helps learners predict pronunciation based on letter positioning. By identifying when "g" maintains its hardness even in the context of "e" and "i," students can improve their spelling and reading skills. Understanding this specific pronunciation rule is particularly beneficial for those engaged in structured language education, as it serves as a foundation for further phonetic training.