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Third Form
Spelling Patterns
Name: ...................................
Form: ..........
Introduction
Welcome to the Third Form Spelling Patterns booklet.
The twenty spelling patterns in this booklet are drawn from the Key Stage 3 National
Strategy for teaching English. For each pattern, there is an Explanation of the rule or
convention followed by Examples of words to learn. Additional commonly misspelled
words are listed under Extras. At the bottom of each page, there are references to
Wordshark, for further practice. Wordshark is a games based software programme by a
company called Whitespace Ltd. You can access it on the KCS intranet via the remote link,
or it can be purchased in CD form on Amazon. In most cases it is preferable to select the
‘extended list’ of spellings from Wordshark.
To get the most out of this booklet, you need to know a few rules. The five vowels can be
pronounced in two ways - a short vowel such as a as in apple, e as in egg, i as in ink, o as in
octopus, u as in umbrella and a long vowel where A, E, I, O, U sound the same as the
names of the letters.
A number of spelling patterns are based on letters at the beginning and / or end of a word.
A ‘prefix’ such as ‘il-’ placed in front of ‘legible’ makes ‘illegible’. Adding a ‘suffix’ such as ‘ful’ to the end of a word like ‘joy’ changes the meaning of the original word.
People learn to spell in different ways. Some try to remember the look of a word. Others
learn by ‘sounding out’ and repeating the word. Others learn by writing the word or tracing
it in the air to get a feel for the shape of it. Many of us use a combination of these methods.
There is no right or wrong way – the trick is to find out what works best for you.
Keep this booklet safe with all your other English work. You will be using it regularly in
class to revise key spelling patterns but you can also use the booklet independently at
home. For further help and advice, see your English teacher or a member of the Learning
Enrichment department.
Some of us are lucky enough to be ‘natural’ spellers, and may only need to look at a word a
few times to learn it. Many of us, however, do not find spelling so easy. Given that over
80% of English spellings are regular, it makes sense to learn spellings by patterns. This
booklet seeks to help you with this.
Useful Resources
www.spellathon.net
www.timesspellingbee.co.uk
Wordshark software
Tips for Learning Spellings
Try out some of these methods for learning spellings, and see which strategies work best
for you:
1.
Use the Look / Say / Cover / Write / Check method.
2.
Look for words within a word, and highlight them.
eg. s old ier, sep a rat e
3.
Separate and sound out the syllables.
eg. hos-pi-tal, dis-in-fec-tant
4.
Say the word aloud as it is spelt.
eg. Wed-nes-day, bus-i-ness
5.
Invent a mnemonic for the word.
eg. because: ‘baby elephants can always use small exits’
6.
Trace out the word with your finger in the air (as though you are writing on an
imaginary whiteboard).
7.
Use highlighters and coloured pens to make common patterns, or unusual features
stand out. Most of us remember things more easily if they are in colour!
8.
Compile an individual ‘black list’ of spellings that you spell incorrectly on a regular
basis.
9.
Say letter names to a rhythmic beat, like a chant.
eg. u-n-i-o-n, w-e-i-r-d
10.
Learn the derivation of a word.
eg. television, telephone
Contents
Vowel Choices
1.
Unstressed Vowels
2.
Double Consonants
3.
Soft ‘c’ and ‘g’
4.
‘ie’ and ‘ei’
5.
‘ow’ and ‘ou’, ‘aw’ and ‘au’
Pluralisation
6.
‘-es’ and ‘-ves’
7.
Words ending ‘y’ and irregulars
Word Endings
8.
Vowel Suffixes (‘y’ to ‘i’ and ‘drop e’)
9.
Consonant Suffixes (‘-ly’ and ‘-ful’)
10.
‘-able’ and ‘-ible’
11.
‘-tion’, ‘-sion’ and ‘-ssion’
12.
‘-ent’, ‘-ence’ and ‘-ant’, ‘-ance’
13.
‘-ous’, ‘-ious’ and ‘-cious’
Prefixes
14.
Antonym Prefixes
15.
Classical Prefixes
High Frequency Words
16.
Common Letter Clusters (‘-our’, ‘-ough’, ‘-ear’, ‘-au’)
17.
Homophones
18.
‘ph’ words
19.
Silent Letters (h, w, k, l)
20.
Silent Letters (h, ue, k, g)
Appendix
Subject Spellings
1.
Unstressed Vowels
Explanation:
Some vowels are difficult to hear because they are spoken quickly or quietly. Identify and
sound out the syllables (bus-i-ness).
‘er’ patterns such as ‘int-er-est-ing’ are common.
Examples:
‘er’ words
Unstressed ‘a’
Others
1.
desperate
5.
boundary
12.
definitely
2.
generally
6.
familiar
13.
similar
3.
interesting
7.
February
14.
medicine
4.
mystery
8.
parliament
15.
memorable
9.
separate
16.
vegetable
10.
signature
11.
valuable
Extras:
17.
acquaintance
18.
alcohol
19.
argument
20.
assessment
Wordshark - Literacy Hour KS1 and 2, unstressed vowels (various lists)
2.
Double Consonants
Explanation:
Double consonants in the middle of a word mark the boundary of two syllables (sum-mer).
A double consonant follows the short vowel (correct).
For a short vowel word ending in a single consonant, double the consonant before adding
vowel suffixes such as ‘-ing’, ‘-er’ or ‘-ed’.
Examples:
Double consonants + ‘-ing’, ‘-er’ or ‘-ed’
Beginning and medial double consonants
1.
fit, fitter
5.
accommodation
2.
hop, hopping
6.
address
3.
stop, stopped
7.
beginning
4.
swim, swimming
8.
brilliant
9.
difficult
10.
embarrass
11.
exaggerate
12.
luggage
13.
mammal
14.
permitted
15.
recommend
16.
success
Extras:
17.
atmosphere
18.
audible
19.
benefited
20.
beneath
Wordshark - Alpha to Omega, Group 7, Rule 1, double
Group 8, Suffix 11, 1 and 11, 2
3.
Soft ‘c’ and ‘g’
Explanation:
The letter ‘c’ can be pronounced with a hard ‘c’ as in ‘can’ and a soft ‘c’ as in city when
followed by an ‘e’, ‘i’ or ‘y’. Common endings include ‘-ice’ and ‘-ace’.
Similarly, the letter ‘g’ can be pronounced with a soft ‘g’ as in ‘gate’ or a hard ‘g’ as in
‘gentle’. Common endings include ‘-dge’ and ‘-age’.
Examples:
Soft ‘c’
Soft ‘g’
1.
circumference
9.
gigantic
2.
citizen
10.
engineer
3.
coincidence
11.
imagination
4.
disciple
12.
religion
5.
celebrity
13.
generosity
6.
cement
14.
gesture
7.
centenary
15.
exaggerate
8.
except
16.
tragedy
Extras:
17.
caught
18.
column
19.
concentration
20.
conclusion
Wordshark - Alpha to Omega, Group 5, soft c
soft g
4.
‘ie’ and ‘ei’
Explanation:
Usually ‘i’ comes before ‘e’ except after ‘c’. One exception is ‘weird’, a ‘weird’ word!
‘ie’ usually says ‘ee’ as in ‘field’ while ‘ei’ usually says ‘ay’ as in ‘eight’.
Examples:
‘ie’ words
‘ei’ after ‘c’ words
‘ei’ words
1.
achievement
11.
deceitful
13.
foreigner
2.
besiege
12.
receipt
14.
protein
3.
fierce
15.
vein
4.
grieve
16.
weird
5.
mischievous
6.
pier
7.
piece
8.
shriek
9.
shield
10.
siege
Extras:
17.
conscience
18.
consequence
19.
continuous
20.
decision
Wordshark - Alpha to Omega, Group 8, odd letter strings
- rule –ie, cei
- ei as long a
- odd ie/ei/long i
5.
‘ow’ and ‘ou’, ‘aw’ and ‘au’
Explanation:
Vowel sounds have a number of common alternative spellings.
‘Ow’ can be spelled ‘ow’ as in ‘brown’ or ‘ou’ as in house.
‘Or’ can be spelled ‘aw’ as in ‘awful’ or ‘au’ as in ‘August’.
Examples:
‘ow’ words
‘aw’ words
1.
brown
9.
awful
2.
clown
10.
drawer
3.
flower
11.
lawn
4.
powder
12.
yawn
‘ou’ words
‘au’ words
5.
about
13.
August
6.
ground
14.
autumn
7.
house
15.
caution
8.
mountain
16.
laundry
Extras:
17.
description
18.
definitely
19.
disappointed
20.
disappear
Wordshark - Alpha to Omega, Group 6, long a long o
- final -ow –own
oi, oy, ou, ow, au, aw, oar
- ow - as in ‘how’
- ou 2
- au
- aw
6.
‘-es’ and ‘-ves’
Explanation:
The plural of most nouns is formed by adding ‘-s’ to the singular. Nouns ending in ‘hissing’
(kiss), ‘buzzing’ (fox) or ‘shushing’ sounds (wish) usually end ‘-es’ in the plural (kisses, foxes,
wishes) as do words ending ‘-o’ (potatoes).
For words ending in ‘-f’ (thief) or ‘-fe’ (knife), change ‘-f’ or ‘-fe’ to ‘v’ and add ‘-es’ (thieves,
knives). However, there are a number of exceptions (roofs).
Examples:
‘Hissing’, ‘buzzing’ and ‘shushing’ words
‘-f’ or ‘-fe’ words
1.
benches
9.
calves
2.
classes
10.
halves
3.
boxes
11.
shelves
4.
taxes
12.
ourselves
‘-o’ words
Exceptions
5.
cargoes
13.
cafes
6.
dominoes
14.
cast-offs
7.
echoes
15.
chiefs
8.
volcanoes
16.
dwarfs
Extras:
17.
dessert
18.
energy
19.
enquire
20.
evaluation
Wordshark - KS3 Subject Lists, English KS3 Literacy Hour, Pluralisation
- plurals -es
- plurals -oes
- plurals -f>v
7.
Words ending ‘-y’ and irregulars
Explanation:
For vowel + ‘y’ words, add ‘-s’ (monkeys). For consonant + ‘y’ words, change the ‘-y’ to an
‘i’ and add ‘-es’ (cherries).
A number of nouns have unusual plurals. These include words that have no singular
(scissors), words that are the same in the singular and the plural (sheep), and words that
change the medial vowel (goose, geese).
Examples:
‘-y’ to ‘i’ and add ‘-es’
Unusual plurals
1.
countries
9.
antenna, antennae
2.
enemies
10.
deer, deer
3.
factories
11.
formula, formulae
4.
hobbies
12.
louse, lice
5.
injuries
13.
criteria
6.
libraries
14.
paparazzi
7.
memories
15.
phenomena
8.
parties
16.
strata
Extras:
17.
evidence
18.
explanation
19.
fulfil
20.
gradually
Wordshark - Alpha to Omega, Group 7, Plurals
- plurals -ies
- plurals irregular
8.
Vowel Suffixes (‘y’ to ‘i’ and ‘drop e’)
Explanation:
For words ending vowel + ‘y’ (play), keep the ‘y’ when adding a vowel suffix such as ‘-ed’
(played). For words ending consonant + ‘y’, change the ‘y’ to an ‘i’ when adding a vowel
suffix such as ‘-ed’(try, tried) or ‘-er’ (lazy, lazier). Keep the ‘y’ when adding ‘-ing’
(marrying).
For words ending vowel + consonant + ‘e’, drop the silent ‘e’ when adding a vowel suffix
such as ‘-ing’ (smile, smiling).
Examples:
‘y’ to ‘i’ + vowel suffix
Drop ‘e’ + vowel suffix
1.
marry, married, marrying
7.
celebrate, celebrating
2.
reply, replied, replying
8.
compete, competing
3.
satisfy, satisfied, satisfying
9.
damage, damaging
4.
busy, busier
10.
decide, deciding
5.
clumsy, clumsier
11.
imagine, imagining
6.
hungry, hungrier
12.
increase, increasing
13.
measure, measuring
14.
traipse, traipsing
15.
wriggle, wriggling
16.
write, writing
Extras:
17.
height
18.
imaginary
19.
improvise
20.
interrupt
Wordshark - Alpha to Omega, Group 7, Suffix 1
Rule 11 and 111- drop e + ing
Rule V, V1 and V11- change y to i
9.
Consonant Suffixes (‘-ly’ and ‘-ful’)
Explanation:
Consonant suffixes like ‘-ly’ (‘in this manner’) and ‘-ful’ (‘full of’) can generally be added
without changing the base word.
However, for words ending consonant + ‘y’, change the ‘y’ to an ‘i’ when adding ‘-ly’ (angry,
angrily) or ‘-ful’ (beauty, beautiful).
Examples:
‘-ly’ words
‘y’ to ‘i’ + ‘ly
1.
immediately
9.
happily
2.
originally
10.
hungrily
3.
properly
11.
necessarily
4.
sincerely
12.
steadily
‘-ful’ words
‘y’ to ‘i’ + ‘-ful’
5.
doubtful
13.
beautiful
6.
resentful
14.
merciful
7.
sorrowful
15.
pitiful
8.
wonderful
16.
plentiful
Extras:
17.
jewellery
18.
knowledge
19.
listening
20.
material
Wordshark - Alpha to Omega, Group 9, Suffixes
- full –ful adj
- suffix –ly -ful
10.
‘-able’ and ‘-ible’
Explanation:
‘-able’ endings are more common than ‘-ible’ ones. There is no clear ‘rule’ but dropping
‘-able’ often leaves a generally recognisable word (agreeable, agree).
For the majority of words ending ‘e’, drop the ‘e’ before adding ‘-able’ (value, valuable) or
‘-ible’ (reverse, reversible). Keep the final ‘e’ to preserve a soft ‘c’ (noticeable) or ‘g’
(manageable).
Examples:
‘-able’ words
Keep ‘e’ ‘-able’ words
1.
capable
9.
changeable
2.
remarkable
10.
knowledgeable
3.
respectable
11.
manageable
4.
vegetable
12.
noticeable
Drop ‘e’ ‘-able’ words
‘-ible’ words
5.
believable
13.
accessible
6.
curable
14.
invincible
7.
debatable
15.
sensible
8.
valuable
16.
visible
Extras:
17.
miscellaneous
18.
murmur
19.
outrageous
20.
panicked
Wordshark - Alpha to Omega, Group 8, (Stage 111), endings
- suffix -able
- suffix -ible
Group 7, Suffix 1, Rule 1V
- suffix not drop e after ce and ge
- drop/not drop e after ce and ge
11.
‘-tion’, ‘-sion’ and ‘-ssion’
Explanation:
‘-tion’, ‘-sion’ and ‘-ssion’ prefixes say ‘shun’.
‘-tion’ is the most common ending. Where the base word ends in ‘de’ (explode), use ‘-sion’
(explosion). ‘-ssion’words (permission) have a clear ‘sh’ sound.
Examples:
‘-tion’ words
‘-sion’ words
1.
competition
9.
conclusion
2.
conservation
10.
collision
3.
education
11.
confusion
4.
indigestion
12.
decision
5.
information
6.
precaution
‘-ssion’ words
7.
quotation
13.
aggression
8.
reflection
14.
depression
15.
impression
16.
succession
Extras:
17.
parallel
18.
peculiar
19.
permanent
20.
physical
Wordshark - Alpha to Omega, Group 8, (Stage 111), rr -tion -le -el -il -al –ally
- suffix –tion verb > noun, - tion 2, - tion 3, - tion 4, - tion 5
- endings suffix –sion, - sion & -shion, -ssion noun > verb, -ssion 2
12.
‘-ent’, ‘-ence’ and ‘-ant’, ‘-ance’
Explanation:
These words follow no specific rule and need to be learned.
Examples:
‘-ent’ words
‘-ant’ words
1.
announcement
9.
arrogant
2.
compliment
10.
extravagant
3.
intelligent
11.
observant
4.
Parliament
12.
relevant
‘-ence’ words
‘-ance’ words
5.
experience
13.
endurance
6.
obedience
14.
hindrance
7.
intelligence
15.
significance
8.
reference
16.
tolerance
Extras:
17.
possession
18.
potential
19.
practical
20.
preparation
Wordshark - Alpha to Omega, Group 5, soft c -ance, -ence, -ince
13.
‘-ous’, ‘-ious’ and ‘-cious’
Explanation:
‘-ous’ and ‘-ious’ endings say ‘us’ as in ‘bus’ whereas ‘-cious’ endings say ‘shus’ as in
‘precious’.
Examples:
‘-ous’ words
‘-ious’ words
1.
deciduous
9.
anxious
2.
disastrous
10.
conscientious
3.
humorous
11.
mysterious
4.
jealous
12.
obviously
5.
nervous
6.
obnoxious
‘-cious’ words
7.
poisonous
13.
atrocious
8.
vigorous
14.
precious
15.
suspicious
16.
unconscious
Extras:
17.
prejudice
18.
prioritise
19.
privilege
20.
proposition
Wordshark - Alpha to Omega, Group 8, (Stage 111), endings
- ous
- ious
- itious -cious
14.
Antonym Prefixes
Explanation:
Prefixes such as ‘im-’, ‘in-’, ‘il-’ and ‘ir-’ mean ‘not’. ‘un-’ means ‘not’ or ‘opposite of’.
Double letters are often created when the prefix is added to a word beginning with the
letter which ends the prefix (‘im-’ + mature = immature).
Examples:
‘im-’ words
‘il-’ and ‘ir-’ words
1.
immeasurable
9.
illiterate
2.
immobile
10.
illogical
3.
imperceptible
11.
irresistible
4.
implausible
12.
irresponsible
‘in- words
‘un-’ words
5.
inaccessible
13.
unashamedly
6.
indigestion
14.
uncomfortable
7.
inexcusable
15.
unmistakable
8.
insoluble
16.
unpleasant
Extras:
17.
replaceable
18.
recommend
19.
remember
20.
safety
Wordshark - Alpha to Omega, Group 9, (Stage 111), prefixes
- prefix il- ir- negative
- prefix im- negative
- prefix in- negative 1
- prefix in- negative 2
- in- il- im- ir- mixed
- prefix un-
15.
Classical Prefixes
Explanation:




‘aqua-’ means ‘water’
‘aero-’ means ‘air’
‘audi-’ means ‘hear’
‘prim-’ means ‘first’
Examples:
‘aqua-’ words
‘audi-’ words
1.
aquamarine
9.
audible
2.
aquarium
10.
audience
3.
Aquarius
11.
audition
4.
aquatic
12.
auditorium
‘aero-’ words
‘prim-’ words
5.
aerodrome
13.
prime
6.
aerodynamic
14.
primary
7.
aeronaut
15.
primate
8.
aeroplane
16.
primeval
Extras:
17.
sequence
18.
simultaneous
19.
straight
20.
substantial
Wordshark - KS3 Subject Lists, English KS3 Literacy Hour, Obj 4 Prefixes
- classical prefixes mixed
16.
Common Letter Clusters (‘-our’, ‘-ough’, ‘-ear’, ‘-au’)
Explanation:
These common letter clusters make different sounds and need to be learned.
Examples:
‘our’ words
‘ear’ words
1.
armour
9.
rehearse
2.
humour
10.
research
3.
neighbour
11.
heard
4.
sour
12.
yearn
‘ough’ words
‘au’ words
5.
thorough
13.
applause
6.
although
14.
clause
7.
rough
15.
pause
8.
thoughtless
16.
fault
Extras:
17.
survey
18.
technique
19.
temporary
20.
unfortunately
Wordshark - Alpha to Omega, Group 6, (Stage 11)
oi, oy, ou, ow, au, aw, oar, - au
ir, ur, er, ear 1 sound, - ear saying er
Group 8, (Stage 111)
odd letter strings, - aught and ought
endings, - our
17.
Homophones
Explanation:
‘Homophones’ are words that sound the same but are spelled differently.
Analogy with family groups can be helpful (here, where, there) or focusing on single
letters (‘e’ for ‘envelope in ‘stationery’; ‘s’ for verb, ‘c’ for noun as in ‘to practise’).
Examples:
1.
there / their / they’re
2.
were / where / we’re
3.
to / two / too
4.
of / off
5.
are / our
6.
its / it’s
7.
hear / here
8.
your / you’re
9.
who’s / whose
10.
past / passed
11.
practice / practise
12.
site / sight
13.
pane / pain
14.
knew / new
15.
threw / through
16.
rain / reign / rein
Extras:
17.
martyr
18.
reservoir
19.
spontaneous
20.
unanimous
Wordshark - Alpha to Omega, Group 8, (Stage 111)
- homophones bonanza
18.
‘ph’ words
Explanation:
In some words (of Greek origin), the letters ‘p’ and ‘h’ are put together to make a new
sound ‘ph’ as in ‘phone’.
Examples:
‘ph-’ at word beginnings
Medial ‘ph-’
‘ph-’ at word endings
1.
pharmacist
6.
blasphemy
10.
atmosphere
2.
phobia
7.
emphasize
11.
biography
3.
physics
8.
euphemism
12.
catastrophe
4.
physique
9.
sophisticated
13.
decipher
5.
sphinx
14.
prophet
15.
sapphire
16.
trophy
Extras:
17.
unconscious
18.
unique
19.
unnecessary
20.
unnatural
Wordshark - Group 8, odd letter strings
- ph as f
19.
Silent Letters (h, w, n, l)
Explanation:
Silent letters need to be learned by heart.
Examples:
Silent ‘h’
Silent ‘k’
1.
while
9.
knew
2.
whipped
10.
knives
3.
whisper
11.
knuckle
4.
somewhere
12.
know
Silent ‘w’
Silent ‘l’
5.
wrapper
13.
calm
6.
wrestle
14.
half
7.
wriggle
15.
salmon
8.
wrinkle
16.
yolk
Extras:
17.
vaccination
18.
vicious
19.
tonsilitis
20.
hideous
Wordshark - Alpha to Omega, Group 8, (Stage 111), silent letters
- -kn -gn -silent k,g
- -wr - silent w
- - silent l
20.
Silent Letters (h, ue, k, g)
Explanation:
Silent letters need to be learned by heart.
Examples:
Silent ‘h’
Silent ‘k’
1.
heir
9.
knack
2.
dinghy
10.
knowledge
3.
vehicle
11.
knot
4.
wheat
12.
knuckle
Silent ‘ue’
Silent ‘g’
5.
fatigue
13.
design
6.
intrigue
14.
campaign
7.
dialogue
15.
sovereign
8.
league
16.
foreign
Extras:
17.
Wednesday
18.
weight
19.
whole
20.
woollen
Wordshark - Alpha to Omega, Group 8, (Stage 111), silent letters
- silent letters mixed
Third Form Subject Spellings
English
Maths
alliteration
algebraic
antonym
adjacent
author
corresponding
atmosphere
congruent
description
decagon
dialogue
estimate
imagery
heptagon
metaphor
hexagon
onomatopoeia
horizontal
personification
indices
rhyme
polygon
rhythm
octagon
scene
ratio
simile
rhombus
synonym
vector
History
Geography
armada
Brandt line
Boleyn
brownfield site
Cleves
communication
dissolution
congestion
evidence
conservation
foreign
demography
government
desert
illegitimate
endangered
martyr
environment
monastery (-ies)
extinct
parliament
globalisation
probably
leisure
Protector
pollution
Protestants
quaternary sector
Reformation
resource
Renaissance
rural
Shakespeare
secondary sector
source
site
successful
stadium (stadia)
sustainable
tertiary sector
tourism
urbanisation
Science
Religious Studies
algae
altar
amphibian
belief
arachnid
Buddhism
bacteria
communion
carbohydrate
crucifixion
characteristic
denomination
chlorophyll
enlightenment
crustacean
Eucharist
environment
gurdwara
habitat
Hinduism
ingest
mandir
sulphur
meditation
photosynthesis
reincarnation
vein
Sikhism
worship
Latin
Art and Design
accusative
architecture
adjective
composition
amphitheatre
decorative
comparative
glaze
dative
highlight
declension
illuminate
gladiator
illusion
imperfect
modelling
nominative
refine
perfect
review
plural
Pompeii
singular
superlative
theatre