Phonics: Hard G and Soft G worksheet - Free Printable

Let's solve this worksheet step by step.

Objective:

Determine whether the "g" sound in each word is hard (like "g" in *go*) or soft (like "j" in *jump*).

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Rules for Hard and Soft G:

- Hard G: Sounds like /g/ — as in *go*, *dog*, *game*.
- Usually occurs before a, o, u, or at the beginning of a word.
- Soft G: Sounds like /j/ — as in *giant*, *gem*, *giraffe*.
- Usually occurs before e, i, y.

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Now let’s analyze each word:

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1. gym
- The word ends in "m", but the "g" is followed by "y".
- "y" often follows soft g rules (like in *gym*, *gymnast*).
- However, "gym" is pronounced with a hard "g" sound (/dʒɪm/), even though it has "y".
- But wait! Actually, "gym" is pronounced /dʒɪm/ — that’s a soft g sound!
✔ So, soft g

2. game
- "g" is followed by "a" → usually hard g
- Pronounced /ɡeɪm/ → hard g
✔ hard g

3. gorilla
- "g" is followed by "o" → hard g
- Pronounced /ɡəˈrɪlə/ → hard g
✔ hard g

4. giraffe
- "g" is followed by "i" → soft g rule applies
- Pronounced /dʒɪˈrɑːf/ → soft g
✔ soft g

5. girl
- "g" is followed by "i" → soft g rule
- Pronounced /ɡɜːrl/ → actually, hard g!
Wait — "girl" is pronounced with a hard g sound (/ɡɜːrl/)
Even though it has an "i", the "g" is hard here.
This is because "girl" is an exception — "g" is hard
✔ hard g

6. germ
- "g" is followed by "e" → typically soft g
- But "germ" is pronounced /ɡɜːrm/ → hard g
- Although it has "e", the "g" is still hard
✔ hard g

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Summary of Answers:

| Word | Sound | Reason |
|--------|-------|--------|
| gym | soft | Pronounced /dʒɪm/ → soft g (due to "y") |
| game | hard | "g" before "a" → hard g |
| gorilla| hard | "g" before "o" → hard g |
| giraffe| soft | "g" before "i" → soft g |
| girl | hard | Despite "i", "g" is hard in "girl" |
| germ | hard | "g" before "e", but pronounced with hard g |

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Final Answers (Circle the correct choice):

1. gym → ✔ soft
2. game → ✔ hard
3. gorilla → ✔ hard
4. giraffe → ✔ soft
5. girl → ✔ hard
6. germ → ✔ hard

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✔ Correct Answers to Circle:
- gym → soft
- game → hard
- gorilla → hard
- giraffe → soft
- girl → hard
- germ → hard

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📝 Explanation for Students:

- Hard G sounds like the "g" in go.
- Soft G sounds like the "j" in jump.
- Soft g usually comes before e, i, y, but not always!
- Some words like girl and germ have hard g even with i or e.
- Always listen carefully!

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