Step 1: The letter "c" has two common sounds: the hard sound /k/ and the soft sound /s/. Step 2: The rule: "c" is soft (/s/) when it is followed by e, i or y, as in "city", "cell" and "cycle". Step 3: "c" is hard (/k/) when it is followed by a, o, u or a consonant, as in "cat", "cow", "cup". Step 4: In "city", "c" is followed by "i", so it is pronounced /s/ (SIT-ee). Answer: city.