Our first spelling rule: If two stops are placed next to each other, the first will usually change to conform to the type of the second. For example, the γ in λέγω changes to the corresponding letter type when followed by other stops (e.g., the κ in λέλεκται corresponds to τ, or the χ in ἐλέχθη corresponds to θ). Likewise, one would expect combinations such as ὀκτώ or ὀγδόη, but not* ὀγτώ.1 In the last chapter of this book, you will learn about consonant blends that produce voiced stops (μπ, ντ,