Websink Prep UKKS2 EnglishYear 3 chaptersEnglish textbooksReceptionYear 1Year 2Year 3Year 4Year 5Year 6Year 7Year 8Year 9Browse allPast papersFind a tutorBecome a tutor
Primary English · Year 3Chapter 1 · Spelling patterns
Year 3 · Chapter 1

Spelling patterns

By the end of this chapter you will be able to

  • Spell words with y that says the i sound, and ou that says the u sound
  • Spell the ay sound with ei, eigh, ey and aigh
  • Spell words with ch, gue, que and sc from other languages
  • Spell 49 statutory words, such as accident, believe and important
  • Choose the right homophone by its meaning, such as except or accept
  • Check a spelling by its tricky part, and correct it

You should already know

  • Tricky words and spelling patterns from Year 2, such as the o that says oh and the i that says eye
  • Common letter patterns, such as the ai and ee sounds (Year 2)

Where this leads

  • Prefixes and suffixes (Chapter 2), including the rest of the statutory word list
  • Proof-reading for spelling mistakes (Chapter 11)

National Curriculum for England, Key Stage 2 English, Year 3. Content: Spell words with the i sound spelt y in the middle of a word, such as gym and myth, Spell words with the u sound spelt ou, such as young and trouble, Spell the ay sound spelt ei, eigh, ey and aigh, such as vein, eight, they and straight, Spell words from Greek, French and Latin with ch, gue, que and sc, Spell the first half of the statutory word list, from accident to important, Choose the right homophone or near-homophone by its meaning.

Exercise P  Do you remember?

1
FWhich letter is a vowel letter in the word cat?
2
FWrite the plural of box, which means more than one box.
3
FWrite the word running with the ing ending, from the word run.
4
FWhich two letters make the n sound at the start of knee?
5
FWrite the word for the opposite of early.
1.1

The y that says i, and the ou that says u

Year 3
Spell words with y that says the i sound, not at the end of the word, Spell words with ou that say the u sound
Video lesson: The y that says i, and the ou that says uComing soon
Story. Ali and Mia are in the school gym after lunch. Their teacher shows them a picture of a pyramid. Outside, the young trees move in the wind.

A vowel letter is a, e, i, o or u. The other letters are consonant letters. The letter y is sometimes a vowel.

Sometimes the letter y in the middle of a word makes the i sound, as in sit. Words like gym, myth and pyramid have this sound.

The u sound, as in cup, can be spelled ou. Words like young, touch and trouble have it.

gymmysteryyoungtrouble
The tricky letters are shaded.

Key ideas

  • A vowel letter is a, e, i, o or u (y is sometimes a vowel).
  • In the middle of a word, y can make the i sound, as in gym and myth.
  • The ou can make the u sound, as in young and touch.
  • Learn the tricky part of each word, and say the example word to yourself.
Worked example 1.1.1
Write the word that means: a word that means the same as another word.

Method. Match the meaning to the word, then check its spelling.

  1. Read the meaning. Think about what the clue describes.
    a word that means the same as another word
  2. Find the word that matches. Think of the one word with this meaning.
    synonym
  3. Check the tricky part. The y says the i sound, as in sit.
    Tricky part: y
  4. Write the answer.
    synonym

Check. Read synonym and check each letter against the word. ✓

Watch out. The y says the i sound, as in sit.

Worked example 1.1.2
Write the missing word: The library has a new sorting   for its books.

Method. Think what the sentence means, then choose the word that fits the gap and its spelling.

  1. Read the sentence with the gap. Think what the sentence means.
    The library has a new sorting ___ for its books.
  2. Find the word that fits the meaning. a set of parts that work together
    system
  3. Put the word in the gap. Read the sentence again. It makes sense.
    The library has a new sorting system for its books.
  4. Write the answer.
    system

Check. Read the whole sentence with system in it. ✓

Watch out. The y says the i sound, as in sit.

Worked example 1.1.3
Write the missing letters: d ble

Method. Say the whole word, then fill the box with the tricky letters.

  1. Say the whole word. Read every letter in order.
    double
  2. Look at the empty box. The box stands for 2 letter(s) in a row.
    2 missing letter(s)
  3. Write the missing letters. The ou says the u sound, as in cup.
    ou

Check. Put ou back in the box and read double. ✓

Watch out. The ou says the u sound, as in cup.

Watch out

Watch out: the y in gym and system is not at the end of the word, so it does not say ee, as in happy. The ou in trouble says the u sound, not the oo sound in moon.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Point to the y in gym and say its sound, as in sit. Then find the ou in young and trouble. Ask your child to write each word on paper and tick it when it is right.

Exercise 1A  Practice: the y that says i, and the ou that says u

1
FWrite the word for each meaning.
(a)Write the word that means: a room or hall where you do exercise and sport.
(b)Write the word that means: caring about how someone else feels.
(c)Write the word that means: twice as much, or two of the same kind.
(d)Write the word that means: a country in north-east Africa, with the River Nile.
2
FWrite the missing word in each sentence.
(a)Write the missing word: The library has a new sorting   for its books.
(b)Write the missing word: The dog caused   by chewing the shoes.
(c)Write the missing word: England is one   in the United Kingdom.
(d)Write the missing word: A heart shape is a   of love.
3
FWrite the missing letters.
(a)Write the missing letters: m stery
(b)Write the missing letters: t pical
(c)Write the missing letters: c ple
4
PSWrite each word correctly.
(a)Ali writes mith. Write it correctly.
(b)Mia writes tuch. Write it correctly.
(c)Sam writes sinonym. Write it correctly.
5
RAli says the y in gym makes the same sound as the y in yes. Is he right? Explain.
6
RWhich word does NOT have a y that says the i sound: myth, pyramid or cycle?
7
PSWrite one sentence with the word pyramid.
8
PSSort these words into two lists: gym, young, myth, touch. Put the words with the y that says i in one list, and the words with the ou that says u in the other.
9
FWrite the missing letters: t ch
10
RMia says the ou in trouble makes the oo sound, as in moon. Is she right? Explain.
11
RWrite two words from this section with a y that says i, and two with ou that says u. Use each word once.
1.2

The ay sound spelt ei, eigh, ey and aigh

Year 3
Spell the ay sound spelt ei, eigh, ey and aigh, as in vein, eight, they and straight
Video lesson: The ay sound spelt ei, eigh, ey and aighComing soon
Story. It is a grey, cold morning. Mia and Ali wait for the bus, and their neighbour waves from the window of the house next door.

The sound ay, as in play, can be spelled in four ways in these words.

The ei is in vein and weigh. The eigh is in weigh, eighty, neighbour, sleigh and eight. The ey is in they, grey, obey and prey. The aigh is in straight.

The sound does not tell you which spelling to use. Learn each word with its spelling.

veineightytheystraight
Each shaded part makes the ay sound, as in play.

Key ideas

  • The ay sound, as in play, can be spelled ei, eigh, ey or aigh.
  • Eighty and neighbour have the eigh spelling.
  • They, grey, obey and prey end with ey.
  • Straight has the aigh spelling.
Worked example 1.2.1
Write the word that means: a thin tube that carries blood back to the heart.

Method. Match the meaning to the word, then check its spelling.

  1. Read the meaning. Think about what the clue describes.
    a thin tube that carries blood back to the heart
  2. Find the word that matches. Think of the one word with this meaning.
    vein
  3. Check the tricky part. The ei says the ay sound, as in play.
    Tricky part: ei
  4. Write the answer.
    vein

Check. Read vein and check each letter against the word. ✓

Watch out. The ei says the ay sound, as in play.

Worked example 1.2.2
Write the missing word: Walk   ahead to the gate.

Method. Think what the sentence means, then choose the word that fits the gap and its spelling.

  1. Read the sentence with the gap. Think what the sentence means.
    Walk ___ ahead to the gate.
  2. Find the word that fits the meaning. not bent or curved; going in one direction
    straight
  3. Put the word in the gap. Read the sentence again. It makes sense.
    Walk straight ahead to the gate.
  4. Write the answer.
    straight

Check. Read the whole sentence with straight in it. ✓

Watch out. The aigh says the ay sound, as in play.

Worked example 1.2.3
Write the missing letters: sl 

Method. Say the whole word, then fill the box with the tricky letters.

  1. Say the whole word. Read every letter in order.
    sleigh
  2. Look at the empty box. The box stands for 4 letter(s) in a row.
    4 missing letter(s)
  3. Write the missing letters. The eigh says the ay sound, as in play.
    eigh

Check. Put eigh back in the box and read sleigh. ✓

Watch out. The eigh says the ay sound, as in play.

Watch out

Watch out: grey is the UK spelling, not gray. Neighbour has ou at the end, as in UK English.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Say the ay sound, as in play, then ask your child which spelling is in each word. Make a sorting table of the four spellings on paper.

Exercise 1B  Practice: ei, eigh, ey and aigh

1
FWrite the word for each meaning.
(a)Write the word that means: a thin tube that carries blood back to the heart.
(b)Write the word that means: to find out how heavy something is.
(c)Write the word that means: a vehicle on runners that is pulled over the snow.
(d)Write the word that means: not bent or curved; going in one direction.
2
FWrite the missing word in each sentence.
(a)Write the missing word: Our   has a big black dog.
(b)Write the missing word: My gran is   years old.
(c)Write the missing word:   are going to the park after school.
(d)Write the missing word: Puppies must learn to   their owners.
3
FWrite the missing letters.
(a)Write the missing letters: pr 
(b)Write the missing letters: str t
(c)Write the missing letters: v n
4
PSWrite each word correctly.
(a)Ali writes gray. Write it correctly.
(b)Mia writes obay. Write it correctly.
(c)Sam writes wey. Write it correctly.
5
RAli says that they and obey both end with the same spelling, ey. Is he right? Explain.
6
PSWrite one word from this section with the eigh spelling, and one with the ey spelling.
7
RAli says that neighbour is spelled with eigh, because it has the ay sound. Is he right? Explain.
8
PSWrite one sentence with the word sleigh.
9
PSSort these words by their spelling: grey, eighty, prey, weigh, sleigh. Which words have the ey spelling, and which have the eigh spelling?
10
FWrite the missing letters: n bour
11
RWrite two sentences: one with straight, and one with vein.
1.3

Words from Greek, French and Latin

Year 3
Spell ch that says k (Greek origin), ch that says sh (French origin), Spell -gue and -que endings (French origin), Spell sc that says s (Latin origin)
Video lesson: Words from Greek, French and LatinComing soon
Story. Mia’s class visits a café where a chef makes soup. Later, they test some plants in the science room, and the teacher hands out scissors.

Some words came into English from other languages, and they keep their spelling.

Words from Greek often have ch that says the k sound, as in echo and chorus.

Words from French often have ch that says the sh sound, as in chef and machine. They also end in -gue, which says the g sound in league, or -que, which says the k sound in unique.

Words from Latin often have sc that says the s sound, as in science and scissors.

echochefleaguescience
The shaded letters follow a Greek, French or Latin pattern.

Key ideas

  • ch can say k (Greek), as in chorus, or sh (French), as in chef.
  • League and catalogue end with gue, which says the g sound.
  • Unique and technique end with que, which says the k sound.
  • Science and scissors start with sc, which says the s sound.
Worked example 1.3.1
Write the word that means: a sound that bounces back to you from a wall.

Method. Match the meaning to the word, then check its spelling.

  1. Read the meaning. Think about what the clue describes.
    a sound that bounces back to you from a wall
  2. Find the word that matches. Think of the one word with this meaning.
    echo
  3. Check the tricky part. The ch says the k sound, as in kite. This spelling comes from Greek.
    Tricky part: ch
  4. Write the answer.
    echo

Check. Read echo and check each letter against the word. ✓

Watch out. The ch says the k sound, as in kite. This spelling comes from Greek.

Worked example 1.3.2
Write the missing word: The washing   spun round very fast.

Method. Think what the sentence means, then choose the word that fits the gap and its spelling.

  1. Read the sentence with the gap. Think what the sentence means.
    The washing ___ spun round very fast.
  2. Find the word that fits the meaning. a device with parts that move to do a job
    machine
  3. Put the word in the gap. Read the sentence again. It makes sense.
    The washing machine spun round very fast.
  4. Write the answer.
    machine

Check. Read the whole sentence with machine in it. ✓

Watch out. The ch says the sh sound, as in shop. This spelling comes from French.

Worked example 1.3.3
Write the missing letters: anti 

Method. Say the whole word, then fill the box with the tricky letters.

  1. Say the whole word. Read every letter in order.
    antique
  2. Look at the empty box. The box stands for 3 letter(s) in a row.
    3 missing letter(s)
  3. Write the missing letters. The que says the k sound, as in kite. This spelling comes from French.
    que

Check. Put que back in the box and read antique. ✓

Watch out. The que says the k sound, as in kite. This spelling comes from French.

Watch out

Watch out: the same letters can say different sounds. Chef has the sh sound, but chemist has the k sound.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Read the words aloud, then find the sound each pattern makes. Talk about where the word comes from: a chorus sings, and a chef cooks.

Exercise 1C  Practice: Greek, French and Latin spellings

1
FWrite the word for each meaning.
(a)Write the word that means: a sound that bounces back to you from a wall.
(b)Write the word that means: a cook who works in a restaurant.
(c)Write the word that means: the only one of its kind.
(d)Write the word that means: the study of how things work, using tests and experiments.
2
FWrite the missing word in each sentence.
(a)Write the missing word: The whole school joined in the   of the song.
(b)Write the missing word: The washing   spun round very fast.
(c)Write the missing word: Our team is top of the  .
(d)Write the missing word: The   from the top of the hill was lovely.
3
FWrite the missing letters.
(a)Write the missing letters:  emist
(b)Write the missing letters: techni 
(c)Write the missing letters:  issors
4
PSWrite each word correctly.
(a)Ali writes orkestra. Write it correctly.
(b)Mia writes brocher. Write it correctly.
(c)Sam writes catalog. Write it correctly.
5
RAli says the ch in chef makes the k sound, as in kite, like the ch in chemist. Is he right? Explain.
6
RWhich word does NOT have the k sound: scene, chorus or unique?
7
PSWrite one sentence with the word antique.
8
PSSort these words into three lists: Greek ch (chorus, echo), French ch (chef, machine) and Latin sc (science, descend). Write each list.
9
FWrite the missing letters: va 
10
RMia says the sc in scissors makes the k sound, as in kite. Is she right? Explain.
11
RFind the odd one out: league, vague or unique. Explain why.
1.4

The statutory word list, part 1: accident to disappear

Year 3
Spell the statutory Year 3 and 4 words from accident to disappear, Read the tricky part of each word, and learn it
Video lesson: The statutory word list, part 1: accident to disappearComing soon
Story. Ben runs to catch the bus. He takes a deep breath, looks at the calendar, and remembers that he must build a model for the science fair.

The statutory word list is a list of words that a pupil should be able to spell correctly by the end of Year 4. Many of these words are often misspelt, so it helps to learn the tricky part of each one.

This section has the first half of the list, from accident to disappear, and three of the other forms: accidentally, actually and business.

WordTricky partWhy
accidentccThe double cc says the ks sound, as in box.
accidentallyccAccidental becomes accidentally when we add ly. The double cc says the ks sound, as in box.
actualtuThe t and u say the ch and oo sounds together, as in chew.
actuallytuThe t and u say the ch and oo sounds together, as in chew.
addressddThe double d and double s make the word longer: ad-dress.
answerwThe w is written but not said: an-ser.
appearppThe pp is a double letter. Say a-pear.
arriverrThe rr is a double letter. The ive ending is usual.
believeieThe ie says the ee sound, as in see.
bicycleiThe i says the eye sound, as in my.
breatheaThe ea says the e sound, as in bed. Breath is a noun.
breatheeaThe ea says the ee sound, as in see. Breathe is a verb, and it ends in e.
The first 12 words of this section. Every word is practised in the exercise.

Key ideas

  • Accident and accidentally both have a double c.
  • Breath is a noun, and breathe is a verb: breathe ends in e.
  • Busy and business both have a u that says the i sound.
  • Centre is the UK spelling, and it ends in re.
Worked example 1.4.1
Write the word that means: a chart that shows the days, weeks and months of a year.

Method. Match the meaning to the word, then check its spelling.

  1. Read the meaning. Think about what the clue describes.
    a chart that shows the days, weeks and months of a year
  2. Find the word that matches. Think of the one word with this meaning.
    calendar
  3. Check the tricky part. The ar at the end says the er sound, as in sister.
    Tricky part: ar
  4. Write the answer.
    calendar

Check. Read calendar and check each letter against the word. ✓

Watch out. The ar at the end says the er sound, as in sister.

Worked example 1.4.2
Write the missing word: We will   a sandcastle on the beach.

Method. Think what the sentence means, then choose the word that fits the gap and its spelling.

  1. Read the sentence with the gap. Think what the sentence means.
    We will ___ a sandcastle on the beach.
  2. Find the word that fits the meaning. to make something by joining parts together
    build
  3. Put the word in the gap. Read the sentence again. It makes sense.
    We will build a sandcastle on the beach.
  4. Write the answer.
    build

Check. Read the whole sentence with build in it. ✓

Watch out. The ui says the i sound, as in it.

Worked example 1.4.3
Write the missing letters: c t

Method. Say the whole word, then fill the box with the tricky letters.

  1. Say the whole word. Read every letter in order.
    caught
  2. Look at the empty box. The box stands for 4 letter(s) in a row.
    4 missing letter(s)
  3. Write the missing letters. The augh says the or sound, as in corn.
    augh

Check. Put augh back in the box and read caught. ✓

Watch out. The augh says the or sound, as in corn.

Watch out

Watch out: some words look the same but have different spellings: breath (a noun) and breathe (a verb). Actually and accidentally end in ally.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Write each word on a card. Look at the tricky part, say it aloud, cover the card, write the word, then check it. Practise a few words each day, not all of them at once.

Exercise 1D  Practice: the statutory word list, part 1

1
FWrite the word for each meaning.
(a)Write the word that means: something bad that happens by chance, and that nobody meant.
(b)Write the word that means: real, true, as it really is.
(c)Write the word that means: where someone lives, with the house number and street.
(d)Write the word that means: what you write or say back to a question.
(e)Write the word that means: a two-wheeled machine that you ride by pedalling.
(f)Write the word that means: the air you take into your lungs.
(g)Write the word that means: to take air into your lungs and let it out.
2
FWrite the missing word in each sentence.
(a)Write the missing word: We will   a sandcastle on the beach.
(b)Write the missing word: The bees were very   on the flowers.
(c)Write the missing word: Ben   the ball with both hands.
(d)Write the missing word: Put the star in the   of the page.
(e)Write the missing word: The school was built more than one hundred years ago, in the last  .
(f)Write the missing word: Are you   that the bus is coming?
(g)Write the missing word: Draw a   around the right answer.
3
FWrite the missing word in each sentence.
(a)Write the missing word: Ali filled in every box, so the page is  .
(b)Write the missing word: Please   what you want to say before you speak.
(c)Write the missing word: Please   reading the story after lunch.
(d)Write the missing word: It is hard to   which cake to buy.
(e)Write the missing word: Can you   the colour of the sea?
4
FWrite the missing letters.
(a)Write the missing letters: calend 
(b)Write the missing letters: disapp r
(c)Write the missing letters: a ear
(d)Write the missing letters: a ive
5
PSWrite each word correctly.
(a)Ali writes beleive. Write it correctly.
(b)Mia writes diffrent. Write it correctly.
(c)Sam writes difficalt. Write it correctly.
(d)Ben writes actualy. Write it correctly.
6
PSWrite accidentally correctly. Ben writes accidently.
7
RAli says that busy and business both start with bus, and the u says the same sound. Is he right? Explain.
8
RWhich word has a silent letter: answer, arrive or believe?
9
PSWrite one sentence with the word breathe.
10
RWhich of these words has no double letter: appear, arrive or centre?
11
RWrite two sentences using two words from this section: believe and accidentally. Check each spelling.
1.5

The statutory word list, part 2: early to important

Year 3
Spell the statutory Year 3 and 4 words from early to important, Use the tricky parts to check each spelling
Video lesson: The statutory word list, part 2: early to importantComing soon
Story. In February, the weather is cold, but Ali is looking forward to the trip. He is going to the history museum, and it is important to get there early.

This section has the second half of the first part of the statutory list, from early to important, and two other forms: eighth and forwards.

Some words have a tricky part. The ea in early and heard does not say the ee sound, as in see.

WordTricky partWhy
earlyeaThe ea says the ur sound, as in earn.
earthearThe ear says the ur sound, as in earn.
eighteighThe eigh says the ay sound, as in play.
eightheighThe eigh says the ay sound, as in play. Eighth is eight with th added.
enoughouThe ou says the u sound, as in cup.
exercisethe whole wordLearn the whole word by its shape.
experienceieThe ie says the ee sound, as in see.
experimentthe whole wordLearn the whole word by its shape.
extremethe whole wordLearn the whole word by its shape.
famousouThe ou says the u sound, as in cup.
favouriteouThe ou is a tricky spelling: learn the whole word. UK English spells it with our.
FebruaryuaSay it in parts: Feb-roo-ar-ee. The first r is often missed, so keep it in the word.
The first 12 words of this section. Every word is practised in the exercise.

Key ideas

  • Early and heard both have ea, but the ea says a different sound in each.
  • February has the first r that is often missed, so keep it in the word.
  • Eight and eighth both have eigh, which says the ay sound.
  • Important ends in -ant, not -ent.
Worked example 1.5.1
Write the word that means: before the usual time.

Method. Match the meaning to the word, then check its spelling.

  1. Read the meaning. Think about what the clue describes.
    before the usual time
  2. Find the word that matches. Think of the one word with this meaning.
    early
  3. Check the tricky part. The ea says the ur sound, as in earn.
    Tricky part: ea
  4. Write the answer.
    early

Check. Read early and check each letter against the word. ✓

Watch out. The ea says the ur sound, as in earn.

Worked example 1.5.2
Write the missing word: My birthday is in  .

Method. Think what the sentence means, then choose the word that fits the gap and its spelling.

  1. Read the sentence with the gap. Think what the sentence means.
    My birthday is in ___.
  2. Find the word that fits the meaning. the second month of the year, after January
    February
  3. Put the word in the gap. Read the sentence again. It makes sense.
    My birthday is in February.
  4. Write the answer.
    February

Check. Read the whole sentence with February in it. ✓

Watch out. Say it in parts: Feb-roo-ar-ee. The first r is often missed, so keep it in the word.

Worked example 1.5.3
Write the missing letters: h t

Method. Say the whole word, then fill the box with the tricky letters.

  1. Say the whole word. Read every letter in order.
    height
  2. Look at the empty box. The box stands for 4 letter(s) in a row.
    4 missing letter(s)
  3. Write the missing letters. The eigh says the eye sound, as in my.
    eigh

Check. Put eigh back in the box and read height. ✓

Watch out. The eigh says the eye sound, as in my.

Watch out

Watch out: forward and forwards both appear in the list. Foward is not correct.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Say February in parts: Feb-roo-ar-ee. Then ask your child to find the tricky part of each word and write it on a card. Test the card on another day.

Exercise 1E  Practice: the statutory word list, part 2

1
FWrite the word for each meaning.
(a)Write the word that means: before the usual time.
(b)Write the word that means: the planet we live on.
(c)Write the word that means: the number after seven.
(d)Write the word that means: as much as is needed.
(e)Write the word that means: physical activity to keep the body healthy.
(f)Write the word that means: something you have done that teaches you something.
2
FWrite the missing word in each sentence.
(a)Write the missing word: We did an   to see which plant grows fastest.
(b)Write the missing word: The weather was   cold on the mountain.
(c)Write the missing word: The   footballer signed my shirt.
(d)Write the missing word: Blue is my   colour.
(e)Write the missing word: My birthday is in  .
(f)Write the missing word: Please step   and take your turn.
3
FWrite the missing word in each sentence.
(a)Write the missing word: I had a bowl of   for my snack: an apple and a pear.
(b)Write the missing word: We learnt about verbs in our   lesson.
(c)Write the missing word: A   of children played tag in the park.
(d)Write the missing word: The   stood by the school gate.
(e)Write the missing word: The   showed us round the old castle.
4
FWrite the missing letters.
(a)Write the missing letters: h rd
(b)Write the missing letters: h rt
(c)Write the missing letters: h t
5
FWrite the missing word in each sentence.
(a)Write the missing word: We learn about the Romans in our   lessons.
(b)Write the missing word: Can you   a world with no cars?
(c)Write the missing word: It is   to brush your teeth every day.
6
PSWrite each word correctly.
(a)Ali writes Febuary. Write it correctly.
(b)Mia writes groop. Write it correctly.
(c)Sam writes histery. Write it correctly.
(d)Ben writes eigth. Write it correctly.
7
PSWrite forward correctly. Ben writes foward.
8
RMia says that heard and heart have the same spelling, ea, and the same sound. Is she right? Explain.
9
RWhich word does NOT have the ay sound: eight, early or eighth?
10
PSWrite one sentence with the word important.
11
FWrite the missing letters: h t
12
RWhich of these words have the ou that says the u sound, as in cup: enough, famous or group?
13
RWrite one sentence with forward, and one with forwards. Check each spelling.
1.6

Homophones and near-homophones

Year 3
Choose the right homophone or near-homophone by its meaning, Spell pairs such as except and accept, and meet and meat
Video lesson: Homophones and near-homophonesComing soon
Story. Sam is writing a letter to his gran about the picnic. He wants every word to be right, because some words sound the same but mean different things.

A homophone sounds the same as another word, but has a different spelling and meaning.

A near-homophone sounds almost the same. Here, the word that you choose depends on its meaning.

Read the sentence and ask: what does the gap need? Then choose the word that means that.

WordMeaningWordMeaning
exceptnot includingacceptto say yes to
affectto change, or have an effect oneffecta result
whosebelonging to which personwho’swho is
meetto come togethermeatfood from an animal
Pairs of homophones and near-homophones, with their meanings.

Key ideas

  • Choose by meaning, not by how the word sounds.
  • Except means not including; accept means to say yes to something.
  • Whose means belonging to which person; who’s means who is.
  • Meet means to come together; meat is food from an animal.
Worked example 1.6.1
Everyone came to the party   Ben, who was ill.
Choose: except (not including; leaving out) or accept (to say yes to something).

Method. Choose the word by its meaning, not by how it sounds.

  1. Read the sentence. Think about what the gap means.
    Everyone came to the party ___ Ben, who was ill.
  2. Match the meaning. The word that fits has this meaning.
    except means not including; leaving out
  3. Check the other word. Put it in the gap. Does it still mean the same?
    accept (to say yes to something) does not fit this meaning
  4. Write the answer.
    except

Check. Read the sentence with except in the gap. ✓

Watch out. Homophones sound the same but have different spellings and meanings. Choose by meaning.

Worked example 1.6.2
We will   at the park after school.
Choose: meet (to come together with someone) or meat (food from an animal).

Method. Choose the word by its meaning, not by how it sounds.

  1. Read the sentence. Think about what the gap means.
    We will ___ at the park after school.
  2. Match the meaning. The word that fits has this meaning.
    meet means to come together with someone
  3. Check the other word. Put it in the gap. Does it still mean the same?
    meat (food from an animal) does not fit this meaning
  4. Write the answer.
    meet

Check. Read the sentence with meet in the gap. ✓

Watch out. Homophones sound the same but have different spellings and meanings. Choose by meaning.

Worked example 1.6.3
The postman brings the   to our door.
Choose: mail (letters and parcels sent by post) or male (a boy or a man, not a girl or a woman).

Method. Choose the word by its meaning, not by how it sounds.

  1. Read the sentence. Think about what the gap means.
    The postman brings the ___ to our door.
  2. Match the meaning. The word that fits has this meaning.
    mail means letters and parcels sent by post
  3. Check the other word. Put it in the gap. Does it still mean the same?
    male (a boy or a man, not a girl or a woman) does not fit this meaning
  4. Write the answer.
    mail

Check. Read the sentence with mail in the gap. ✓

Watch out. Homophones sound the same but have different spellings and meanings. Choose by meaning.

Watch out

Watch out: a homophone sounds right, but the meaning must fit the sentence. Check the meaning every time.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Read each sentence aloud and ask your child what the gap needs. Then point to the word that means that. Keep a list of pairs on the fridge.

Exercise 1F  Practice: homophones and near-homophones

1
FChoose the right word in each sentence, by its meaning.
(a)Everyone came to the party   Ben, who was ill.
Choose: except (not including; leaving out) or accept (to say yes to something).
(b)The heavy rain will   our picnic.
Choose: affect (to change something, or have an influence on it) or effect (a result of something that happens).
(c)We will   the seed in the soil.
Choose: bury (to put something under the ground) or berry (a small, juicy fruit).
(d)Please pay the bus   at the front.
Choose: fare (the money you pay to travel) or fair (just and equal; or a funfair).
2
FChoose the right word in each sentence, by its meaning.
(a)Mum will   the cheese for the pizza.
Choose: great (very big, or very good) or grate (to rub food into small pieces).
(b)The small cut will   in a few days.
Choose: heal (to get better and become whole again) or heel (the back part of your foot).
(c)Tie a tight   in the rope.
Choose: knot (a tight loop tied in string or rope) or not (a word that means no).
(d)The postman brings the   to our door.
Choose: mail (letters and parcels sent by post) or male (a boy or a man, not a girl or a woman).
3
FChoose the right word in each sentence, by its meaning.
(a)The   road into town is closed.
Choose: main (the biggest or most important) or mane (the long hair on a horse’s neck).
(b)Ali   the bus this morning, so he walked.
Choose: missed (did not catch, or did not hit) or mist (a thin fog that hangs in the air).
(c)Please give me a   of that cake.
Choose: peace (calm and quiet, with no fighting) or piece (a bit or part of something).
(d)The   flew high over the hills.
Choose: plain (simple, not fancy or decorated) or plane (a flying machine with wings).
4
FChoose the right word in each sentence, by its meaning.
(a)I do not know   it will rain today.
Choose: weather (what the sky and air are like) or whether (if, or to ask which of two things).
(b)Do you know   coat this is?
Choose: who’s (who is) or whose (belonging to which person).
(c)We will   at the park after school.
Choose: meet (to come together with someone) or meat (food from an animal).
(d)Have you   the new film at the cinema?
Choose: seen (looked at with your eyes) or scene (a part of a play or film, or a view).
5
RAli says that peace and piece must mean the same, because they sound the same. Is he right? Explain.
6
PSSam writes We will meat at the park. Write the sentence correctly.
7
PSMia writes The grate sea is blue. Write the sentence correctly.
8
RBen says that whose and who’s mean the same. Is he right? Explain.
9
FWhich word means calm and quiet, with no fighting: peace or piece?
10
PSWrite one sentence with missed, and one with mist.
11
RWrite two sentences, one with main and one with mane, so that the meanings are clear.

Chapter summary

SkillMethod
The y that says i (in the middle)gym, myth, pyramid, mystery, symbol, system, typical, Egypt, syllable, crystal, sympathy, synonym
The ou that says uyoung, touch, double, trouble, country, couple, cousin, southern
The ay sound: ei, eigh, ey, aighvein, weigh, eighty, neighbour, they, grey, obey, prey, sleigh, straight
Greek, French and Latin spellingsecho, chorus, chemist, orchestra; chef, chalet, machine, brochure; league, vague, catalogue, unique, antique, technique; science, scene, scissors, descend
Statutory word list, part 1 (accident to important)accident(ally), actual(ly), address, answer, appear, arrive, believe, bicycle, breath(e), build, busy, business, calendar, caught, centre, century, certain, circle, complete, consider, continue, decide, describe, different, difficult, disappear, early, earth, eight, enough, exercise, experience, experiment, extreme, famous, favourite, February, forward(s), fruit, grammar, group, guard, guide, heard, heart, height, history, imagine, important
Homophones and near-homophonesexcept/accept, affect/effect, bury/berry, fare/fair, grate/great, heal/heel, knot/not, mail/male, main/mane, missed/mist, piece/peace, plane/plain, whether/weather, whose/who’s, meet/meat, seen/scene

Can you…?

  • I can spell words with y that says the i sound, and ou that says the u sound
  • I can spell the ay sound with ei, eigh, ey and aigh
  • I can spell ch, gue, que and sc words from Greek, French and Latin
  • I can spell the first half of the statutory word list, from accident to important
  • I can use the tricky part of a word to check its spelling
  • I can choose the right homophone or near-homophone by its meaning

Key terms

vowel letter
one of the letters a, e, i, o or u (y is sometimes a vowel)
consonant letter
any letter that is not a vowel letter
statutory word list
a list of words that pupils should be able to spell correctly by the end of Year 4
homophone
a word that sounds the same as another word, but has a different spelling and meaning
near-homophone
a word that sounds almost the same as another word, with a different meaning
silent letter
a letter that is written in a word but not said, such as the w in answer
tricky part
the letters in a word that do not follow the usual sound rule

Exercise 1Z  Check-up

1
Write the word that means: caring about how someone else feels.
2
Write the missing letters: tr ble
3
Write the missing word: Our   has a big black dog.
4
Ella writes shalay for chalet. Write it correctly.
5
Everyone came to the party   Ben, who was ill.
Choose: except (not including; leaving out) or accept (to say yes to something).
6
Mia says the ch in chemist makes the sh sound, as in shop. Is she right? Explain.
7
Write the missing letters:  issors
8
Write the word that means: a period of one hundred years.
9
Which word does NOT have the ay sound: they, grey, eighty or early?
10
Write the missing letters: a ident

Total 18 marks. Allow about 18 minutes.

Exercise 1X  Practice test questions

1
FWrite the word that means: not old; at an early age.[1 mark]
2
FWrite the missing letters: b cycle[1 mark]
3
FWrite the missing word: The tourists climbed up the big stone  .[1 mark]
4
PSRavi writes brocher for brochure. Write it correctly.[1 mark]
5
FHave you   the new film at the cinema?
Choose: seen (looked at with your eyes) or scene (a part of a play or film, or a view).[2 marks]
6
RMia says the ou in couple makes the oo sound, as in moon. Is she right? Explain.[2 marks]
7
FWrite the missing letters: s nonym[2 marks]
8
RWhich word has a silent letter: answer, breath or extreme? Name the silent letter.[2 marks]
9
PSWrite one sentence with February, and one with forwards. Spell both words correctly.[3 marks]
10
RExplain why heart and heard are spelled with ea, but make different sounds.[3 marks]
Chapter 2: Prefixes and suffixes →

Websink Prep UK is an independent site. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by AQA, Pearson Edexcel, OCR, WJEC, Eduqas, CCEA, SQA, GL Assessment, CEM or the Department for Education. All exam board names and trademarks belong to their owners. Past papers are linked from the exam boards' own websites and are not hosted here.

About Websink Prep UK · Find a tutor · Privacy · Terms · Cookie settings