Learn-Apply-Practise
Tricky Words
We have met some of the rules below previously; however it is
a good idea to refresh our memory and understanding of
them. On the second page underline any words that you find
tricky to spell.
"EI" or "IE" RULE
• Usually "i" before "e" except after "c" or as sounding like "a" as in
"neighbor" or "weigh" examples: piece believe chief receive exceptions:
either their science leisure
COMPOUND WORDS • Use the full spelling of both words. Don't use a
hyphen. examples: cupcake
Plurals
• Adding "s" or "es" Add "s" to most nouns and verbs. examples: cats
plays Add "es" if words end in "ch," "sh," "x," "s," or "z." examples:
churches dishes foxes
• Word ending in "y" If preceded by a consonant, change the "y" to "i" and
add "es." example: candy - candies If preceded by a vowel, don't change
the "y," just add "s." example: toys
• Word ending in "o" Some words ending in "o" add "es." If preceded by a
vowel, just add an "s." examples: go - goes patio – patios
• Word ending in "f" Change the "f" to "v" and add "es." example:
• Exceptions: Some nouns have different plurals.
example: Some
nouns don't change for plurals. example: sheep sheep
POSSESSIVES
leaf - leaves
tooth - teeth
deer - deer
• Add apostrophe "s" ('s) to show possessive. • Plural words ending in
"s," the apostrophe is after the "s" (s').
example: bear - bear's example: kitten's bed - three kittens' beds.
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Learn-Apply-Practise
Tricky Words
These are words that can prove tricky to spell.
choose/chose piece/peace off meant receive beginning either
truly led/lead through/threw among whether/weather practise
(verb) humour caught favourite among recent ancient thorough
necessary embarrassing relevant remember achievement jewellery
immediately separate alright (colloquial) all right (formal)
women always laid used to there/they’re their
believe buy paid hoarse already glamour centre frightened believe
notice successful rhyme rhythm desperate occurring approximately
parallel disappoint weird humorous apparently disappearance
coming too twelfth friend loose/lose forty know didn’t Wednesday
February
a lot advise (verb) recognise couldn’t instead realize eligible
tremendous syllable accumulate usual usually determine
consequently develop enthusiasm individual similar sacred scared
ninth answer its/it’s until which whose/who’s we’re/where/were
tired
whole Heard does business tonight advertise dessert/desert
quiet/quite personal appreciate definitely lonely fascinate
prejudice eerie playwright horrified particularly ladies
lady’s dying repetition
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Learn-Apply-Practise
Now ask somebody to call out a selection of words from
page 2. Write them into the box below.
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