Spelling the short vowel sound /ŏ/: o, wa or qua

/ŏ/ as in octopus Spell octopus

Teaching point Most of the time the sound /ŏ/ is spelled with just the letter o.
BUT: The w has a be-witching effect on vowels, often changing their sounds. After w or qu, the sound /ŏ/ is spelled with the letter a. Spell witch


Some examples:

Spell octopus
 Spell watch
Spell quads
o as in octopus wa as in watch qua as in quads
of
off
odd
October
object
observe
offer
office
often
olive
opera
operate
orange
Oscar

bottom
cotton
dollar
golf
hospital
modern
solid
...and many more 		wad
wand
want
was
wash
wasp
watch
what
wander
wallet
warrant

swab
swamp
swan
swap (also swop)
swat
swallow		 qualify
quality
quandary
quantity
quarrel
quarry

squash
squat
squalid
squalor
squabble
squander
squadron

Learn the words:
Study this word list 'Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check' spelling exercise English spelling games spelling test Worksheets and activities Printable handwriting worksheets

Learn the words:
Study this word list 'Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check' spelling exercise English spelling games spelling test Worksheets and activities Printable handwriting worksheets

Learn the words:
Study this word list 'Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check' spelling exercise English spelling games spelling test Worksheets and activities Printable handwriting worksheets


next part of the spelling course Go to a test in spelling the short /ŏ/ sound.

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Unit 6: Spelling the short vowel sounds

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