Sometimes, the basic rules of phonics do not apply. Each of these instances must be memorized. Common examples include, but are not limited, to:

• IGH as in "high" or "sight"
• -NG as in "sing," "song," "sung"
• OST as in "most" (but not "lost" or "cost") uses the long sound instead of the normal short sound.
• OW has two different sounds as in "low" and "cow." (or, "sow" and "sow.")
• ED has three different sounds as in "lifted," "played," and "walked"
• OI does not follow the two vowels rule, e.g., "moist" or "boil."
• Double O has two different sounds, as in "book" and "loose."
• OUS as in "nervous."
• AU as in "fault" or "haul."
• -SION, -TION, and -CION are all pronounced "shun."
• OUGH has at least seven different sounds, as in "bough," "cough," "hough," "tough," "thorough," "thought," and "through."