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Primary English · Year 4Chapter 1 · Spelling patterns in depth
Year 4 · Chapter 1

Spelling patterns in depth

By the end of this chapter you will be able to

  • Spell words with y in the middle that make the i sound, and tell them apart from words with the eye sound
  • Spell the u sound with ou and with o, and say which spelling a word uses
  • Spell Greek and French words with ch, and words with -gue, -que and sc
  • Spell the ay sound with ei, eigh, ey and aigh
  • Choose the right homophone or near-homophone by its meaning
  • Spot silent letters and unusual spellings, and spell the words that use them

You should already know

  • The Year 3 spelling patterns: y that makes the i sound, ou that makes the u sound, and ei, eigh, ey and aigh
  • The Year 3 Greek, French and Latin spellings, and the first half of the statutory word list

Where this leads

  • The statutory word list and the dictionary (Chapter 2)
  • Prefixes, suffixes and word families (Chapter 3)

National Curriculum for England, Key Stage 2 English, Year 4. Content: Spell the i sound with y in the middle of a word, such as gymnast and rhythm, Spell the u sound with ou, and with o, such as colour and come, Spell the k sound with ch from Greek, such as anchor and stomach; the sh sound with ch from French, such as moustache, Spell the g sound with -gue, the k sound with -que, and the s sound with sc, such as plague, cheque and scenery, Spell the ay sound with ei, eigh, ey and aigh, such as veil, weight, convey and straighten, Spell further homophones and near-homophones, and choose each one by its meaning, Read and spell further unusual spelling-sound links and silent letters, such as ph, wr, kn, gn, mn, gh and rh, Use the terms vowel, vowel letter, consonant and consonant letter.

Exercise P  Do you remember?

1
FWrite the five vowel letters.
2
FAdd ing to the word hope.
3
FWrite the plural of baby, which means more than one baby.
4
FWhich letter is written in the word write but is not said?
5
FWrite the opposite of strong.
1.1

The y in the middle of a word that makes the i sound

Year 4
Spell words with y in the middle that make the i sound, such as gymnast and rhythm, Tell the y that makes the i sound apart from the y that makes the eye sound
Video lesson: The y in the middle of a word that makes the i soundComing soon
Story. It is the first lesson of the new term. Mia and Ravi walk into the school hall, which smells of polish. Their teacher starts the music and asks everyone to find the beat.

The vowel letters are a, e, i, o and u. The letter y is usually a consonant letter when it starts a word, as in yes. In the middle of a word it can act as a vowel letter.

In words such as gymnast, rhythm and physics, the y in the middle makes the i sound, as in sit. In cylinder and syrup, the y does the same.

Some words have a y that makes the eye sound, as in my. Words such as cycle and hydrant do this. The spelling does not tell you which sound to use, so you learn the word.

gymnastrhythmcygnetlynx
The shaded letter is the y that makes the i sound, as in sit.

Key ideas

  • The vowel letters are a, e, i, o and u. Y can act as a vowel letter in the middle of a word.
  • In the middle of a word, y can make the i sound, as in gymnast, rhythm and physics.
  • Some words, such as cycle and hydrant, have a y that makes the eye sound, as in my.
  • Learn each word with its y, and say the example sound to yourself.
Worked example 1.1.1
Write the word that means: a person who performs skilled moves on bars, beams and mats.

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

  1. Read the meaning. Think about what the clue describes.
    a person who performs skilled moves on bars, beams and mats
  2. Find the word that matches. Think of the one word with this meaning.
    gymnast
  3. Check the tricky part. The y is in the middle of the word and makes the i sound, as in sit.
    Tricky part: y
  4. Write the answer.
    gymnast

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

Watch out. The y is in the middle of the word and makes the i sound, as in sit.

Worked example 1.1.2
Write the missing word: A tin of soup is shaped like a  .

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.
    A tin of soup is shaped like a ___.
  2. Find the word that fits the meaning. a shape with two flat circular ends and a curved side
    cylinder
  3. Put the word in the gap. Read the sentence again. It makes sense.
    A tin of soup is shaped like a cylinder.
  4. Write the answer.
    cylinder

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

Watch out. The y is in the middle of the word and makes the i sound, as in sit.

Worked example 1.1.3
Write the missing letters: ph sics

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

  1. Say the whole word. Read every letter in order.
    physics
  2. Look at the empty box. The box stands for 1 letter(s) in a row.
    1 missing letter(s)
  3. Write the missing letters. The y makes the i sound, as in sit. The ph at the start makes the f sound.
    y

Check. Put y back in the box and read physics. ✓

Watch out. The y makes the i sound, as in sit. The ph at the start makes the f sound.

Watch out

Watch out: a y in the middle of a word does not always make the i sound. In cycle it makes the eye sound. Check the spelling of each word, and do not guess from the y alone.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask your child to say the word rhythm, then cycle, and to point to the y each time. Then ask which of the two words has a y that makes the i sound, as in sit.

Exercise 1A  Practice: the y in the middle of a word

1
FWrite the word for each meaning.
(a)Write the word that means: a regular pattern of beats, as in music or a poem.
(b)Write the word that means: a thick, sweet liquid, such as the one poured on pancakes.
(c)Write the word that means: a song of praise, often sung in a church or a school assembly.
(d)Write the word that means: a baby swan.
2
FWrite the missing word in each sentence.
(a)Write the missing word: A   has a short tail and tufts on its ears.
(b)Write the missing word: The athletes trained hard for the   Games.
(c)Write the missing word: Mia is a talented   and can do a handstand.
3
FWrite the missing letters.
(a)Write the missing letters: rh thm
(b)Write the missing letters: c gnet
(c)Write the missing letters: s rup
4
PSWrite each word correctly.
(a)Ali writes olimpic. Write it correctly.
(b)Mia writes linx. Write it correctly.
(c)Sam writes rhithm. Write it correctly.
5
PSSort these words into two lists: cycle, gymnast, hydrant, rhythm. Put the words where the y makes the i sound in one list, and the words where the y makes the eye sound in the other.
6
FWrite the two vowel letters in syrup, in the order they come.
7
RMia says the y in rhythm makes the same sound as the y in yes. Is she right? Explain.
8
RWhich word has a y that makes the eye sound, as in my: syrup, lynx or hydrant?
9
PSWrite one sentence with the word cygnet.
10
RWrite three words from this section, each with a y in the middle that makes the i sound.
1.2

The u sound spelt ou, and spelt o

Year 4
Spell the u sound, as in cup, with ou in words such as colour and tough, Spell the same u sound with o in words such as come and love
Video lesson: The u sound spelt ou, and spelt oComing soon
Story. Ella and Sam are painting a picture at the kitchen table. The paint is very bright, and the young puppy keeps trying to sit in the paint tin.

In Year 3 you met ou in young and touch, where it makes the u sound, as in cup. Here are more words with the same ou: colour, colourful, colourless, tough, rough and youngster.

The same u sound can also be spelt with a single o, as in come, love, some and mother. So the sound alone does not tell you the spelling. You must learn each word.

Spelling of the u sound, as in cupExample words
oucolour, colourful, tough, rough, youngster
ocome, love, some, mother, month
Two spellings for the same u sound. Each word is spelt one way only.

Key ideas

  • The u sound, as in cup, can be spelt ou, as in colour and tough.
  • The same u sound can be spelt o, as in come, love and mother.
  • Colour and colourful keep the same ou.
  • Tough and rough have ou and gh. The gh at the end is said as an f sound.
Worked example 1.2.1
Write the word that means: bright, with lots of different colours.

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

  1. Read the meaning. Think about what the clue describes.
    bright, with lots of different colours
  2. Find the word that matches. Think of the one word with this meaning.
    colourful
  3. Check the tricky part. The ou makes the u sound, as in cup. Colourful keeps the ou from colour.
    Tricky part: ou
  4. Write the answer.
    colourful

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

Watch out. The ou makes the u sound, as in cup. Colourful keeps the ou from colour.

Worked example 1.2.2
Write the missing word: The old rope was   and it did not snap.

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 old rope was ___ and it did not snap.
  2. Find the word that fits the meaning. strong, and hard to break or to chew
    tough
  3. Put the word in the gap. Read the sentence again. It makes sense.
    The old rope was tough and it did not snap.
  4. Write the answer.
    tough

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

Watch out. The ou makes the u sound, as in cup. The gh at the end is said as an f.

Worked example 1.2.3
Write the missing letters: y ngster

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

  1. Say the whole word. Read every letter in order.
    youngster
  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 makes the u sound, as in cup. Youngster is made from young and ster.
    ou

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

Watch out. The ou makes the u sound, as in cup. Youngster is made from young and ster.

Watch out

Watch out: ou can make other sounds too. In soup it makes the oo sound, in mouth it makes the ow sound, and in four it makes the or sound. Learn the sound with each word.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Write colour and come on two cards side by side. Ask your child to point to the ou and to the o, then to say which card has the ou. Keep the cards for the next practice.

Exercise 1B  Practice: the u sound spelt ou, and spelt o

1
FWrite the word for each meaning.
(a)Write the word that means: the shade of red, blue or green that things look.
(b)Write the word that means: not smooth, with bumps or uneven parts.
(c)Write the word that means: with no colour at all, like clear water.
2
FWrite the missing word in each sentence.
(a)Write the missing word: The painted fish looked very  .
(b)Write the missing word: The   kicked the ball over the fence.
(c)Write the missing word: The path was   with stones and roots.
3
FWrite the missing letters.
(a)Write the missing letters: col rless
(b)Write the missing letters: r gh
(c)Write the missing letters: col r
4
PSWrite each word correctly.
(a)Ali writes color. Write it correctly.
(b)Mia writes ruf. Write it correctly.
(c)Sam writes yungster. Write it correctly.
5
PSSort these words by their spelling: colour, come, tough, love. Which words have ou, and which have o?
6
RWhich word has ou that does not make the u sound, as in cup: soup, youngster or colour?
7
RBen says the ou in youngster makes the same sound as the ou in soup. Is he right? Explain.
8
RWhich two words have an o that makes the u sound, and no ou: mother, couple or month?
9
PSWrite one sentence with the word tough.
10
RElla says the gh in rough is silent, as in night. Is she right? Explain.
1.3

Greek and French ch

Year 4
Spell ch that makes the k sound, from Greek words such as anchor and stomach, Spell ch that makes the sh sound, from French words such as moustache and chandelier
Video lesson: Greek and French chComing soon
Story. Sam and Ella go on a boat trip with their grandad. The crew lower a heavy hook into the water, so the boat stays still. Later, they look at a drawing of a tall building on a large sheet of paper.

In Year 3 you met ch in echo and chef. Here are more words with ch.

In some words, ch makes the k sound, as in kite: anchor, stomach, chaos, character, architect and mechanic.

In other words, ch makes the sh sound, as in shop: moustache, parachute, chandelier, crochet and avalanche.

anchorstomachmoustacheavalanche
The shaded letters are ch. In anchor and stomach ch makes the k sound. In moustache and avalanche it makes the sh sound.

Key ideas

  • Ch can make the k sound, as in kite, for example in anchor and stomach.
  • Ch can make the sh sound, as in shop, for example in moustache and chandelier.
  • You cannot tell the sound from the letters alone, so learn each word.
  • UK English spells it moustache, not mustache.
Worked example 1.3.1
Write the word that means: a person in a story, or the qualities that make someone who they are.

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

  1. Read the meaning. Think about what the clue describes.
    a person in a story, or the qualities that make someone who they are
  2. Find the word that matches. Think of the one word with this meaning.
    character
  3. Check the tricky part. The ch makes the k sound, as in kite.
    Tricky part: ch
  4. Write the answer.
    character

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

Watch out. The ch makes the k sound, as in kite.

Worked example 1.3.2
Write the missing word: The   fixed the brakes on the bus.

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 ___ fixed the brakes on the bus.
  2. Find the word that fits the meaning. a person who repairs engines and machines
    mechanic
  3. Put the word in the gap. Read the sentence again. It makes sense.
    The mechanic fixed the brakes on the bus.
  4. Write the answer.
    mechanic

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

Watch out. The ch makes the k sound, as in kite.

Worked example 1.3.3
Write the missing letters: avalan e

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

  1. Say the whole word. Read every letter in order.
    avalanche
  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 ch makes the sh sound, as in shop. The final e is needed.
    ch

Check. Put ch back in the box and read avalanche. ✓

Watch out. The ch makes the sh sound, as in shop. The final e is needed.

Watch out

Watch out: the same letters can make different sounds. The ch in stomach makes the k sound, but the ch in crochet makes the sh sound.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Read each word aloud, then say which sound the ch makes, as in kite or as in shop. Ask your child to write the word and tick it when the ch is right.

Exercise 1C  Practice: Greek and French ch

1
FWrite the word for each meaning.
(a)Write the word that means: a heavy hook that holds a boat still in the water.
(b)Write the word that means: the part of your body where food goes after you swallow it.
(c)Write the word that means: a state of complete confusion and mess.
(d)Write the word that means: hair that grows on the upper lip.
2
FWrite the missing word in each sentence.
(a)Write the missing word: The   drew plans for the new library.
(b)Write the missing word: The skydiver pulled the cord to open her  .
(c)Write the missing word: Sparkling crystals hung from the   in the hall.
3
FWrite the missing letters.
(a)Write the missing letters: cro et
(b)Write the missing letters:  aracter
(c)Write the missing letters:  aos
4
PSWrite each word correctly.
(a)Ali writes mustache. Write it correctly.
(b)Mia writes avalanch. Write it correctly.
(c)Sam writes ancor. Write it correctly.
5
PSSort these words by the sound that ch makes: anchor, parachute, chaos, crochet. Write one list for ch that makes the k sound, and one list for ch that makes the sh sound.
6
RAli says the ch in chandelier makes the k sound, as in kite. Is he right? Explain.
7
RWhich word has ch that makes the sh sound, as in shop: chaos, character or avalanche?
8
PSWrite one sentence with the word architect.
9
FWrite the missing letters:  andelier
10
RThe ch in stomach and the ch in crochet make different sounds. What does this tell you about spelling? Explain.
1.4

Words ending in -gue and -que, and sc in Latin words

Year 4
Spell the g sound with -gue at the end of a word, such as plague and fatigue, Spell the k sound with -que at the end of a word, such as cheque and mosque, Spell the s sound with sc, such as scenery, scent and ascend
Video lesson: Words ending in -gue and -que, and sc in Latin wordsComing soon
Story. It is the last day of the trip to the old town. The class visits a small shop, a clock tower and a park with a wide view. Everyone is quiet and tired on the bus home.

Some words end in gue, which makes the g sound, as in go: plague, fatigue, dialogue.

Some words end in que, which makes the k sound, as in kite: cheque, mosque, opaque, boutique.

In some Latin words, sc makes the s sound, as in sun: scenery, scent, ascend, fascinate, crescent. In scale, the sc makes the sk sound instead.

PatternExample wordsSound
-gue at the endplague, fatigue, dialoguethe g sound, as in go
-que at the endcheque, mosque, opaque, boutiquethe k sound, as in kite
sc at the start or in the middlescenery, scent, ascend, fascinatethe s sound, as in sun
Three patterns from this section, with an example of each.

Key ideas

  • A word ending in gue makes the g sound, as in plague and fatigue.
  • A word ending in que makes the k sound, as in cheque and mosque.
  • Sc in many Latin words makes the s sound, as in scenery and fascinate.
  • Sc does not always make the s sound. In scale it makes the sk sound.
Worked example 1.4.1
Write the word that means: a small shop that sells fashionable clothes.

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

  1. Read the meaning. Think about what the clue describes.
    a small shop that sells fashionable clothes
  2. Find the word that matches. Think of the one word with this meaning.
    boutique
  3. Check the tricky part. The que makes the k sound, as in kite. This word came into English from French.
    Tricky part: que
  4. Write the answer.
    boutique

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

Watch out. The que makes the k sound, as in kite. This word came into English from French.

Worked example 1.4.2
Write the missing word: The rose gave off a sweet  .

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 rose gave off a sweet ___.
  2. Find the word that fits the meaning. a pleasant smell
    scent
  3. Put the word in the gap. Read the sentence again. It makes sense.
    The rose gave off a sweet scent.
  4. Write the answer.
    scent

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

Watch out. The sc makes the s sound, as in sun.

Worked example 1.4.3
Write the missing letters: cre ent

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

  1. Say the whole word. Read every letter in order.
    crescent
  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 sc in the middle makes the s sound, as in sun.
    sc

Check. Put sc back in the box and read crescent. ✓

Watch out. The sc in the middle makes the s sound, as in sun.

Watch out

Watch out: a cheque is a paper for paying money. It is not a check, which is a different word. UK English keeps the que at the end of cheque.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Read the endings aloud: plague, cheque. Ask your child which ending makes the g sound and which makes the k sound. Then ask which word starts with the sc that makes the s sound.

Exercise 1D  Practice: -gue, -que and sc

1
FWrite the word for each meaning.
(a)Write the word that means: the view of land, such as hills, trees and rivers.
(b)Write the word that means: to go up, or to climb.
(c)Write the word that means: to interest someone so much that they cannot stop looking or listening.
2
FWrite the missing word in each sentence.
(a)Write the missing word: In the old story, a terrible   spread across the land.
(b)Write the missing word: After the long walk, we felt   and sat down.
(c)Write the missing word: The   between the two friends made the story funny.
3
FWrite the missing letters.
(a)Write the missing letters: che 
(b)Write the missing letters: mos 
(c)Write the missing letters: opa 
4
PSWrite each word correctly.
(a)Ali writes dialog. Write it correctly.
(b)Mia writes check. Write it correctly.
(c)Sam writes bootick. Write it correctly.
5
PSSort these words into two lists by their ending: plague, opaque, fatigue, boutique. Put the words ending in gue in one list, and the words ending in que in the other.
6
RWhich word does not end with the k sound, as in kite: cheque, mosque or plague?
7
RBen says scale makes the s sound, as in sun, because it starts with sc. Is he right? Explain.
8
RElla says cheque and unique end with the same sound, and both end with the same spelling. Is she right? Explain.
9
PSWrite one sentence with the word fascinate.
10
FWrite the missing letters: dialo 
1.5

The ay sound spelt ei, eigh, ey and aigh

Year 4
Spell the ay sound with ei, as in veil and reign, Spell the ay sound with eigh, as in weight and eighteen, and with ey, as in convey, Spell the ay sound with aigh, as in straighten
Video lesson: The ay sound spelt ei, eigh, ey and aighComing soon
Story. Dad is sorting boxes in the garage. He finds an old costume and a tin of paint. He asks Ella and Sam to help him lift the heavy boxes onto the shelf.

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

ei is in veil, reign and beige. eigh is in freight, weight, eighteen and neigh. ey is in convey, survey and disobey. aigh is in straighten and straightforward.

SpellingExampleMeaning
eiveila thin cloth that covers the face
eighweighthow heavy something is
eyconveyto carry something, or pass on a message
aighstraightento make something straight
Each spelling makes the ay sound, as in play.

Key ideas

  • The ay sound, as in play, can be spelt ei, eigh, ey or aigh.
  • Eigh is in weight, eighteen and freight.
  • Ey is at the end of convey, survey and disobey.
  • Aigh is in straighten and straightforward.
Worked example 1.5.1
Write the word that means: to rule as a king or queen, or the time when a king or queen rules.

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

  1. Read the meaning. Think about what the clue describes.
    to rule as a king or queen, or the time when a king or queen rules
  2. Find the word that matches. Think of the one word with this meaning.
    reign
  3. Check the tricky part. The ei makes the ay sound, as in play. Reign is about ruling a country.
    Tricky part: ei
  4. Write the answer.
    reign

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

Watch out. The ei makes the ay sound, as in play. Reign is about ruling a country.

Worked example 1.5.2
Write the missing word: My cousin is   years old this summer.

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 cousin is ___ years old this summer.
  2. Find the word that fits the meaning. the number after seventeen
    eighteen
  3. Put the word in the gap. Read the sentence again. It makes sense.
    My cousin is eighteen years old this summer.
  4. Write the answer.
    eighteen

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

Watch out. The eigh makes the ay sound, as in play. The word starts with eight.

Worked example 1.5.3
Write the missing letters: conv 

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

  1. Say the whole word. Read every letter in order.
    convey
  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 ey makes the ay sound, as in play.
    ey

Check. Put ey back in the box and read convey. ✓

Watch out. The ey makes the ay sound, as in play.

Watch out

Watch out: the ei in receive, ceiling and deceive makes the ee sound, as in see, not the ay sound. Weight and wait sound the same, but only weight has the eigh spelling.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Write the four spellings on four cards: ei, eigh, ey and aigh. Ask your child to sort the words into the right card, using the letters, not the sound.

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

1
FWrite the word for each meaning.
(a)Write the word that means: a thin piece of cloth that covers the face or the head.
(b)Write the word that means: a pale brown-yellow colour, like sand.
(c)Write the word that means: goods that are carried by lorry, ship or aeroplane.
2
FWrite the missing word in each sentence.
(a)Write the missing word: Please check the   of the parcel on the scales.
(b)Write the missing word: The horse gave a loud   when it saw the apples.
(c)Write the missing word: The instructions for the game were very  .
3
FWrite the missing letters.
(a)Write the missing letters: surv 
(b)Write the missing letters: disob 
(c)Write the missing letters: str ten
4
PSWrite each word correctly.
(a)Ali writes streightforward. Write it correctly.
(b)Mia writes wait. Write it correctly.
(c)Sam writes survay. Write it correctly.
5
PSSort these words by their spelling: veil, freight, survey, straighten. Write each word in the list for its spelling: ei, eigh, ey or aigh.
6
RWhich word does not have the ay sound, as in play: reign, receive or veil?
7
RAli says ceiling has the ay sound, because it has ei. Is he right? Explain.
8
RBen says weight and wait have the same spelling, because they sound the same. Is he right? Explain.
9
PSWrite two sentences, one with convey and one with disobey.
10
RWrite a sentence with eighteen, and a sentence with neigh, so that the meaning of each is clear.
1.6

Homophones and near-homophones

Year 4
Choose the right homophone or near-homophone by its meaning, Spell pairs such as dessert and desert, stationary and stationery, and principal and principle
Video lesson: Homophones and near-homophonesComing soon
Story. Ella is making a poster for the school fair. She checks every word twice, because two words that sound alike can mean very different things.

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

A near-homophone sounds almost the same. Some pairs, such as dessert and desert, sound very alike.

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

WordMeaningWordMeaning
principalthe head teacher, or the main oneprinciplea rule or belief
councila group that runs a town or areacounseladvice
stealto take what is not yourssteela strong metal
loosenot tight or fixed firmlyloseto be unable to find, or not to win
Pairs of homophones and near-homophones, with their meanings.

Key ideas

  • Choose by meaning, not by how the word sounds.
  • Dessert is the sweet food at the end of a meal, and it has two s letters. Desert is dry sand, with one s.
  • Stationary means not moving. Stationery means paper, pens and envelopes.
  • Principal means the head teacher or the main one. Principle means a rule or belief.
Worked example 1.6.1
After dinner we had a sweet   of fruit and cream.
Choose: desert (a dry, sandy place with very little rain) or dessert (the sweet food that is eaten at the end of a meal).

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

  1. Read the sentence. Think about what the gap means.
    After dinner we had a sweet ___ of fruit and cream.
  2. Match the meaning. The word that fits has this meaning.
    dessert means the sweet food that is eaten at the end of a meal
  3. Check the other word. Put it in the gap. Does it still mean the same?
    desert (a dry, sandy place with very little rain) does not fit this meaning
  4. Write the answer.
    dessert

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

Watch out. Homophones and near-homophones can sound alike. The meaning of the sentence decides which one to write.

Worked example 1.6.2
The   gave a speech at the start of the school assembly.
Choose: principle (a rule or belief about how to behave) or principal (the head teacher of a school, or the main one).

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

  1. Read the sentence. Think about what the gap means.
    The ___ gave a speech at the start of the school assembly.
  2. Match the meaning. The word that fits has this meaning.
    principal means the head teacher of a school, or the main one
  3. Check the other word. Put it in the gap. Does it still mean the same?
    principle (a rule or belief about how to behave) does not fit this meaning
  4. Write the answer.
    principal

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

Watch out. Homophones and near-homophones can sound alike. The meaning of the sentence decides which one to write.

Worked example 1.6.3
Ali bought a new   of football boots.
Choose: pair (two things that belong together) or pear (a sweet fruit that grows on a tree).

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

  1. Read the sentence. Think about what the gap means.
    Ali bought a new ___ of football boots.
  2. Match the meaning. The word that fits has this meaning.
    pair means two things that belong together
  3. Check the other word. Put it in the gap. Does it still mean the same?
    pear (a sweet fruit that grows on a tree) does not fit this meaning
  4. Write the answer.
    pair

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

Watch out. Homophones and near-homophones can sound alike. The meaning of the sentence decides which one to write.

Watch out

Watch out: a word can sound right and still be wrong. Read the whole sentence and 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 and add a new pair each week.

Exercise 1F  Practice: homophones and near-homophones

1
FChoose the right word in each sentence, by its meaning.
(a)The camel carried water across the hot sandy  .
Choose: desert (a dry, sandy place with very little rain) or dessert (the sweet food that is eaten at the end of a meal).
(b)We bought pens, paper and envelopes from the   shop.
Choose: stationery (paper, pens and envelopes) or stationary (not moving).
(c)Telling the truth is an important   for everyone.
Choose: principal (the head teacher of a school, or the main one) or principle (a rule or belief about how to behave).
(d)The doctor gave my family wise   about healthy eating.
Choose: council (a group of people who run a town or an area) or counsel (advice, or to give advice).
2
FChoose the right word in each sentence, by its meaning.
(a)Please pin the notice to the classroom  .
Choose: bored (not interested, because nothing is happening) or board (a flat piece of wood, or a flat surface for notices).
(b)The bridge was built with strong   beams.
Choose: steal (to take something that is not yours) or steel (a strong metal).
(c)Gran told us a funny   about her school days.
Choose: tale (a story) or tail (the part at the back of an animal).
(d)Ben ate the   pizza by himself.
Choose: hole (an empty space or gap) or whole (complete, with nothing missing).
3
FChoose the right word in each sentence, by its meaning.
(a)The top button on my coat is  .
Choose: lose (to be unable to find, or not to win) or loose (not tight or fixed firmly).
(b)Please read the poem   so the class can hear.
Choose: allowed (given permission to do something) or aloud (out loud, so that others can hear).
(c)Mia held the   gently to steer the pony.
Choose: rain (water that falls from the clouds), reign (to rule as a king or queen) or rein (a strap used to guide a horse).
(d)I felt   during the long wait at the station.
Choose: board (a flat piece of wood, or a flat surface for notices) or bored (not interested, because nothing is happening).
4
FChoose the right word in each sentence, by its meaning.
(a)The bus stayed   at the traffic lights until they turned green.
Choose: stationary (not moving) or stationery (paper, pens and envelopes).
(b)Mia ate a ripe, juicy   for her snack.
Choose: pear (a sweet fruit that grows on a tree) or pair (two things that belong together).
(c)The local   voted to build a new park for families.
Choose: counsel (advice, or to give advice) or council (a group of people who run a town or an area).
(d)If you are not careful, you might   your gloves.
Choose: lose (to be unable to find, or not to win) or loose (not tight or fixed firmly).
5
PSAli writes We ate a sweet desert after tea. Write the sentence correctly.
6
PSMia writes The bus was stationery at the lights. Write the sentence correctly.
7
RSam says principal and principle mean the same thing. Is he right? Explain.
8
RAli says council and counsel are spelt differently but mean the same. Is he right? Explain.
9
FWhich word means a flat piece of wood, or a flat surface for notices: board or bored?
10
PSWrite one sentence with lose, and one with allowed, so that the meaning of each is clear.
1.7

Unusual spellings and silent letters

Year 4
Read and spell words with ph that makes the f sound, and with wr, kn, gn and mn where a letter is silent, Read and spell words with gh that makes the f or g sound, and with rh that makes the r sound
Video lesson: Unusual spellings and silent lettersComing soon
Story. It is a cool, misty morning in the school garden. The class is looking for creatures under the leaves. A friendly teacher tells a joke, and everyone smiles.

Some spellings do not match the sound you might expect. In these words, one letter is written but not said, or two letters make a sound that you might not guess.

ph makes the f sound, as in alphabet and graph. wr makes the r sound, as in wrist. kn makes the n sound, as in knuckle. gn makes the n sound, as in gnome. mn makes the m sound with the n not said, as in autumn and column.

gh can make the f sound, as in laugh, or the g sound, as in ghost. rh makes the r sound, as in rhyme.

LettersSoundExample
phfalphabet, graph, elephant
wrr (the w is not said)wrist, wrinkle
knn (the k is not said)knuckle, knowledge
gnn (the g is not said)gnome, foreign
mnm (the n is not said)autumn, column
ghf in laugh, g in ghostlaugh, ghost
rhr (the h is not said)rhyme, rhubarb
Unusual spellings and the sound each one makes.

Key ideas

  • Ph makes the f sound, as in alphabet and graph.
  • Some letters are written but not said: the w in wrist, the k in knuckle, the g in gnome, the n in autumn.
  • The gh in laugh makes the f sound, but the gh in ghost makes the g sound.
  • Rh makes the r sound, as in rhyme. The h is not said.
Worked example 1.7.1
Write the word that means: the letters of a language in their set order, from a to z.

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

  1. Read the meaning. Think about what the clue describes.
    the letters of a language in their set order, from a to z
  2. Find the word that matches. Think of the one word with this meaning.
    alphabet
  3. Check the tricky part. The ph makes the f sound, as in fish.
    Tricky part: ph
  4. Write the answer.
    alphabet

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

Watch out. The ph makes the f sound, as in fish.

Worked example 1.7.2
Write the missing word: Ali rapped on the door with his  .

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.
    Ali rapped on the door with his ___.
  2. Find the word that fits the meaning. a joint in your finger where it bends
    knuckle
  3. Put the word in the gap. Read the sentence again. It makes sense.
    Ali rapped on the door with his knuckle.
  4. Write the answer.
    knuckle

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

Watch out. The k is written but not said.

Worked example 1.7.3
Write the missing letters: forei 

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

  1. Say the whole word. Read every letter in order.
    foreign
  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 g is written but not said, so the gn makes the n sound.
    gn

Check. Put gn back in the box and read foreign. ✓

Watch out. The g is written but not said, so the gn makes the n sound.

Watch out

Watch out: the gh in ghost makes the g sound, but the gh in laugh makes the f sound. Learn each word with its gh.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask your child to say the word knuckle and then the word knife. Ask which letter they do not say. Then use the same idea with wr, gn and mn.

Exercise 1G  Practice: unusual spellings and silent letters

1
FWrite the word for each meaning.
(a)Write the word that means: a drawing that shows numbers as lines, bars or points.
(b)Write the word that means: a very large grey animal with a long trunk.
(c)Write the word that means: a plant with thick red stalks that is cooked with sugar in a pie.
(d)Write the word that means: a tall upright pillar, or a line of numbers down a page.
2
FWrite the missing word in each sentence.
(a)Write the missing word: I wore a watch on my left  .
(b)Write the missing word: A garden   stood by the pond.
(c)Write the missing word: The leaves turn brown and fall in  .
3
FWrite the missing letters.
(a)Write the missing letters:  yme
(b)Write the missing letters:  owledge
(c)Write the missing letters: lau 
4
PSWrite each word correctly.
(a)Ali writes rinkle. Write it correctly.
(b)Mia writes nowledge. Write it correctly.
(c)Sam writes colum. Write it correctly.
5
FWrite the letter that is written but not said in each word: knuckle, gnome, wrist, autumn.
6
RWhich two words make the f sound: graph, ghost or laugh?
7
RElla says the h in rhyme is said, like the h in hat. Is she right? Explain.
8
RWhich two words have a silent n: autumn, knuckle or column?
9
PSWrite one sentence with the word alphabet.
10
RWrite two words from this section, each with a silent letter. Write the silent letter after each word.

Chapter summary

SkillMethod
The y in the middle that makes the i soundgymnast, rhythm, physics, cylinder, syrup, lynx, Olympic, hymn, cygnet. Cycle and hydrant have the eye sound.
The u sound spelt ou, and spelt ocolour, colourful, colourless, tough, rough, youngster; come, love, some, mother, month
Greek and French chk sound: anchor, stomach, chaos, character, architect, mechanic; sh sound: moustache, parachute, chandelier, crochet, avalanche
-gue, -que and scgue (g sound): plague, fatigue, dialogue; que (k sound): cheque, mosque, opaque, boutique; sc (s sound): scenery, scent, ascend, fascinate, crescent
The ay sound spelt ei, eigh, ey and aighei: veil, reign, beige; eigh: freight, weight, eighteen, neigh; ey: convey, survey, disobey; aigh: straighten, straightforward
Homophones and near-homophonesdessert/desert, stationary/stationery, principal/principle, council/counsel, pair/pear, board/bored, steal/steel, tail/tale, whole/hole, loose/lose, aloud/allowed, rein/rain/reign
Unusual spellings and silent lettersph (f): alphabet, graph, elephant; wr (r): wrist, wrinkle; kn (n): knuckle, knowledge; gn (n): gnome, foreign; mn (n silent): autumn, column; gh (f or g): laugh, ghost; rh (r): rhyme, rhubarb

Can you…?

  • I can spell words with y in the middle that make the i sound
  • I can spell the u sound with ou and with o, and tell which spelling a word uses
  • I can spell Greek and French words with ch, and say which sound the ch makes
  • I can spell words ending in -gue and -que, and words with sc
  • I can spell the ay sound with ei, eigh, ey and aigh
  • I can choose the right homophone or near-homophone by its meaning
  • I can spot silent letters and unusual spellings such as ph, wr, kn, gn, mn, gh and rh

Key terms

vowel letter
one of the letters a, e, i, o or u; y can act as a vowel letter in the middle of a word
consonant letter
any letter that is not a vowel letter, such as b, c, d or y at the start of yes
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 is not said, such as the w in wrist
unusual spelling
a spelling where the letters do not make the sound you might expect, such as ph for the f sound

Exercise 1Z  Check-up

1
Write the missing word: In   we learn why things fall to the ground.
2
Write the missing letters: avalan e
3
Write the word that means: the view of land, such as hills, trees and rivers.
4
The bridge was built with strong   beams.
Choose: steal (to take something that is not yours) or steel (a strong metal).
5
Mia writes facinate. Write it correctly.
6
Write the missing letters: str tforward
7
Which word has ch that makes the k sound, as in kite: anchor, moustache or chandelier?
8
Ali says the colour has an ou that makes the oo sound, as in soup. Is he right? Explain.
9
Write the missing word: Please   this message to the head teacher.
10
Write the word that is spelt with ph for the f sound, and means a drawing that shows numbers as lines or bars.

Total 17 marks. Allow about 17 minutes.

Exercise 1X  Practice test questions

1
FWrite the word that means: a person who plans and designs buildings.[1 mark]
2
FWrite the missing letters: rh thm[1 mark]
3
PSBen writes stomak for stomach. Write it correctly.[1 mark]
4
FThe bridge was built with strong   beams.
Choose: steal (to take something that is not yours) or steel (a strong metal).[2 marks]
5
RMia says that scale makes the s sound, as in sun, because it starts with sc. Is she right? Explain.[2 marks]
6
FWrite the silent letter in each word: knuckle, column.[2 marks]
7
RWhich of these has gh that makes the f sound: ghost, laugh or night?[1 mark]
8
RAli says that cheque and mosque both end with que, and both end with the k sound. Is he right? Explain.[2 marks]
9
PSWrite one sentence with the word weight, spelt correctly.[2 marks]
10
PSWrite two sentences, one with the word principal and one with the word principle, so that each meaning is clear.[3 marks]
Chapter 2: The statutory word list and the dictionary →

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