Spelling Tricks for Words That Don’t Sound How They’re Spelled
English spelling doesn’t always play fair. Just when you think you’ve learned a rule, a word comes along and ignores it completely. Why does friend have an ie when it sounds more like frend? Why is there a d in Wednesday that we never say?
If you’ve ever felt confused by words that don’t sound like how they’re spelled, you’re not alone – and you’re not doing anything wrong. These tricky words are common, but they’re also easier to learn than you might think.
Why Are Some Spellings Trickier Than Others?
There are a few reasons why English spelling can feel unexpected:
- English has taken words from many different languages over time – Greek, Latin, French, German, and more – and each language has its own spelling habits.
- Sometimes the way we say a word changes over time, but the spelling stays the same. That’s why we still write the k in knock or the w in two.
- The same sound can be spelled different ways and the same letter can make different sounds depending on the word it appears in.
While this might sound a bit frustrating, the good news is that once you know which words to watch out for, you can learn them using spelling tricks that really work.
Common Tricky Words and How to Remember Them
Here are some common words that don’t sound how they’re spelled – plus some memory tricks to help you learn them.
1. Friend
- Sounds like: frend
- Looks like: it should rhyme with fiend
- Trick: A friend is always there to help in the end – end is hiding in the word friend.
2. Said
- Sounds like: sed
- Looks like: it should rhyme with paid
- Trick: I said I’d help if you said please! Think of it like this – to give aid is to you help someone and said contains the word aid.
3. One
- Sounds like: won
- Looks like: it should rhyme with bone
- Trick: There’s only one way to spell it – remember the o.
4. Wednesday
- Sounds like: Wens-day
- Looks like: Wed-nes-day
- Trick: Break the word up: Wed-nes-day. You can even say it slowly in your head as you write it out.
Spelling Tricks That Work
Here are a few ways to get tricky words to stick in your brain:
1. Use a sentence to help you remember
Create a silly or catchy sentence that includes the letters of the word in order. This is called a mnemonic.
Example: Because – Big Elephants Can Always Understand Small Elephants.
2. Highlight the difficult bit
When you're writing out the word, write the tricky part in a different colour or say it aloud as you write.
3. Turn the word into a picture
Draw a doodle or shape around the tricky letters. For friend, you could draw two figures around the ie.
4. Repeat it, but make it fun
Make up games or poems to help your remember your spellings. The sillier your rhymes, the more likely you are to remember them!
It’s Okay to Struggle
Everyone finds some spellings difficult. If a word doesn’t look the way it sounds, it’s not your fault – and you’re not the only one who’s puzzled by it. The trick is to find the strategy that works for you.
And remember, spelling is a skill you build with time and practice. Even the trickiest words can become part of your everyday writing once you’ve learned them.
Ready to Take On Tricky Words?
At Spellzone, we help you spot patterns, learn memory tricks, and practise those words that just don’t seem to follow the rules. With fun games and useful activities, spelling becomes something you can feel good about. Start a free trial today and watch your spelling soar.
23 Apr 2025
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