Lexical items containing both the letters “q” and “w” are relatively uncommon in the English language. Typically, the letter “q” is followed by “u” and then another vowel. Examples such as “squawk,” “quawking,” and “squawkbox” demonstrate this pattern. Occasionally, words like “qwerty” and “QWERTY,” referring to a keyboard layout, break from this convention.
The scarcity of such words highlights specific linguistic patterns and historical influences on the English lexicon. Understanding these patterns offers insights into the evolution of the language and the relationships between spelling, pronunciation, and etymology. These unusual orthographic combinations can also present challenges for language learners and contribute to the richness and complexity of the language.