Study the word list: ai words - set 1 Study
Learn using Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check: ai words - set 1 Learn
Spelling Games: ai words - set 1 Games
Listen and Spell test: ai words - set 1 Test
Printable worksheets and activities: ai words - set 1 Print
Handwriting worksheets: ai words - set 1 Write

Study the word list: ai words - set 1

In English spelling, the letter combination ai often represents the long /a/ sound. This is a common spelling pattern found in words such as rain, train, or paint. It is different from the short /a/ sound found in words like cat or hat.

Words that might look similar sound totally different depending on whether they have a short /a/ sound or a long /a/ sound, for example am and aim or clam and claim.

As there are six different ways of spelling the long /a/ sound, it is important to learn to identify and remember words that use the ai spelling. Have a go at the spelling activities and games – you’ll be confident in no time!

aid The vet came to the dog's aid just in time.
aim Tom's aim is to score 10 goals this season.
paid He paid the fare for the train journey.
fail You never fail to amaze me!
mail The postman delivered the mail.
sail What time does the ferry set sail?
tail Dad tripped over the dog's tail.
snail The snail left a trail on the path.
claim Call this number to claim your prize.
main We don't want to live near the main road.
pain I have a slight pain in my neck.
chain There was a broken link in the chain.
plain The chocolate cake is nicer than the plain cake.
stain His blood made a dark red stain on the carpet.
strain I have been under a lot of strain.
wait How much longer do we have to wait?
gait The sports therapist studied my gait.
paint I like to use different colours when I paint.
faint His voice was very faint.
waist My skirt is tight around my waist.

Learn more about these words in Unit 7. Long vowels e.g ee, ea or y? oa, o-e, or ow? u-e, ue, or ew?

Use the list: ai words - set 1

'Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check' spelling exercise for ai words - set 1 Learn this spelling list using the 'Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check' activity.

Look
aid
Say
Cover
Write
Check

Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check

How to use:

Look and read the word.

Say the word. Click the speaker icon.

Cover the word.

Write the word.

Check your spelling.

aid
aim
paid
fail
mail
sail
tail
snail
claim
main
pain
chain
plain
stain
strain
wait
gait
paint
faint
waist

English spelling games Spelling games using the word list: ai words - set 1

Spring spelling gameSpringtime Spelling
Spring into spelling!

Egg hunt spelling gameEgg Hunt
Crack the eggs!

Word search Word Search, small
The classic English word game.
Print version

Against the clock Against the Clock
Spelling 'against the clock'.

Mayan Temple spelling gameMayan Temple
Try the temple spelling puzzle.

Monkey Business spelling gameMonkey Business
It's bananas!

More games

Spelling test: ai words - set 1 Test yourself using the 'Listen and Spell' spelling test.

Worksheets and activities Print worksheets and activities: ai words - set 1

More worksheets and activities

Handwriting worksheets: ai words - set 1 Handwriting worksheets: ai words - set 1


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This word list was created by Spellzone. View more Spellzone course lists or curriculum word lists.

Other lists from Unit 7. Long vowels e.g ee, ea or y? oa, o-e, or ow? u-e, ue, or ew?

a-e words - set 1
a-e words - set 2
ai words - set 2
ay words - set 1
ay words - set 2
ey words This list contains British English spellings
ei words This list contains American English spellings
e words
be words
de words

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