The three letters below can be followed by the same four letters, in the same order, to form complete words. These same three letters can be followed by the same five letters, in the same order, to make three more words.

L _ _ _ _
P _ _ _ _
H _ _ _ _

L _ _ _ _ _
P _ _ _ _ _
H _ _ _ _ _

Answers:

LUNCH
PUNCH
HUNCH

LAUNCH
PAUNCH
HAUNCH

Credit: NY Times Crossword
Manny Nosowsky
A PLUS