Easy-Spelling | The Sounds Of English And Their Spellings

You are now about to start working through the words in the forty-two sound groups. The first word in each list is underlined. If you look at the word dance you will see the letters ance. Then look for the ance in all of the other words of that group. The next line starts with ant as being underlined. Look for the ant in the word group. You will see that there are similar patterns throughout all the word groupings.

In this table of forty-two sounds, the sounds have been arranged according to their usefulness in learning spelling. Thus, the list is not as big as it could be, but embraces enough to give you a good understanding.

We suggest that you only do two or three smaller groups in a sitting, or one larger group. That way you will remember them. And, it will be wise for you to go through the Sound Groups at least three times.

The Sound Dictionary = a dictionary per sound type.

Used for any word where you can't talk to the pencil to for words you do not recognise, it is a safety net. You will get to know the spelling of a word as you place it with words you know. For instance, you have learnt of the letter combination ough (through, tough) that Jenny calls 'oh u go home' words. It is about finding letter combinations (of which you will soon see are many) and becoming familiar with the combinations.

Another combination is auntie uncle words, where there is the letter combination of au (which may have a /or/ sound in the word). Examples of these are auditorium, or Australia. Laundry is another. So within Jenny's Sound Dictionary there are many such letter combinations, where words that have those letter combinations are grouped.

As a way to remember some of these auntie uncle words, you could create stories or poems, such as; The Australian restaurant behind the auditorium has a laundry.

a (apple) Sayings its sound				Sound Group 1
apple
hat
dance trance prance glance	entrance distance balance finance hindrance	importance appearance attendance ambulance reliance	extravagance significance acquaintance circumstance performance	a
ant chant pant grant plant slant	migrant remnant constant pageant vacant	ignorant tolerant observant defiant reluctant	insignificant superabundant communicant luxuriant participant
plait plaid				ai

The sound /ae/ presents little difficulty. Words ending in – ant and – ance are a problem, so collecting them here using ant and dance for clues is helpful. See also Sound Group 37 (an). In normal speech, of course, the sound of the a in many of these words is indefinite (schwa) /a/.

a (angel) Sayings its name				Sound Group 2
angel apron dais	apricot donator curator	escalator incubator incinerator		a
sundae				ae
gate plate grape chase pane frame create	inhale mistake membrane dictate rename	advantage propagate centigrade stimulate hurricane	congratulate supermundane appropriate substantiate disadvantage	a-e
play bay clay sway spray	display repay array astray dismay		yesterday Saturday overlay stowaway	ay
train paid stain aim fail bait	remain restrain afraid mermaid disdain	preordain porcelain chamberlain ascertain entertain		ai
trait				ait
straight				aigh
gaol				ao
gauge (if needed, put in your Decoding Book with other rare irregular words.)				au
grey prey they whey	they	obey convey survey	abeyance Reynard	ey
reins vein veil	skein feint	surveillance reindeer	heinous	ei
reign	feign	design		eig
eight freight weight (y) weigh sleigh neigh	eighty eighteen neighbour	outweigh	Our eight neighbours - My weight, eight kg's - My height, eight feet.	eigh
break steak great				ea
ballet valet beret chet	bouquet parquet crochet croquet	ricochet tourniquet		et
fete				e

e (egg) Sayings its sound				Sound Group 3
hen fed well hem step beg	velvet legend tempest helmet elect	excellent effervesce cemented tenement semester	embezzlement benevolent embellishment enlightenment	e
bread meant breadth spread tread	wealthy feather treasure heaven threading	endeavour pleasantry treachery measurement threatening	leatheriness	ea
You eat your bread and spread on your bread

I spread myself out with my head on the heather.
This was to give me a measure of pleasure.
The sky was like lead, and threatened bad weather.
I dreamt about death and heaven and treasure.
I knew that endeavour with thread and good leather would give me great wealth and surely some treasure.
That bread, baked with leaven as light as a feather would give me good health and certainly pleasure.
A peasant was I and as deaf as could be, but I read heavy books, for my eyes could see. I had no dread of ill for my breath was steady, I leapt towards great wealth with no stealth in my tread.
I hoped for good health, and meant to find wealth, but instead I found wealth right there in good health.

heifer	their	leisure	leisurely	leisureliness	ei
friend					ie
said					ai
says					ay
many	any	anyone	anything		a
bury					u
leopard					eo
aeroplane aerobatics aerodynamics haemorrhage					ae

e (emu) Sayings its name					Sound Group 4
me he we de... pre... re...	sesame simile acme anemone create	museum hideous courteous plenteous stereo (type)			e
trapeze cede swede scene	concrete precede convene	kerosene intervene centipede	supersede extremely discretely serenely intercede		e-e
tree free speed deep speech fleet	proceed degree beseech upkeep decreed	greenhorn cheetah leeward seepage teeming	addressee mortgagee guarantee employee jamboree		ee
A referee wanted to meet his committee under a tree or in a tepee or a marquee. He guaranteed that they could have coffee and toffee at the jubilee if they would agree.
eat breathe beach eagle feast please	eager easel teasing neatly feature	impeach displease repeat bereave conceal	cochineal interweave misdemeanor (u) r predecease underneath		ea
My Dream Called ‘e-a’. In the heat of summer in my dream I lead a team of beavers towards a gleam. They go east with the stream till they reach the sea, so far beneath a peaceful beach. They eat meat and beans on a seat called a beam. While one of them speaks they have peaches and cream. This treat of a meal, to say the least, would fatten the lean for it’s really a feast. When filled to the seams they’re ever so pleased. Then in my dream, when going to leave, I make beavers repeat that ea says /ee/ . That’s what I teach when they’re standing at ease: that ea says /ee/, and they think I’m a tease!
people					eo
quay					ay
phoenix					oe
debris	chassis	verdigris	Louis (d' or)		is
encyclopaedia	algae	antennae	formulae	haemoglobin	ae
taxi fiord kiosk kiwi suite	medium sardine routine machine serious	champion obedient tangerine serviette previous	convenient experience enthusiastic appropriate immediately		i
piano baby story handy plenty tidy	memory angry shivery argosy revelry	recovery discovery immunity chivalry eternity	solidarity peculiarity popularity familiarity copyright		y
key monkey medley barley chutney	lackey motley blarney hackney cockney	hokey-pokey blarney.			ey
A Sydney jockey on a donkey went on a journey through a valley. He had money in a trolley for hockey in an alley, and a ball game of volley! He saw a chimney on an abbey, a pulley in a two-storey galley, a turkey with some parsley in a kidney, and a monkey in a jersey eating honey with a key.
ceiling deceive receive receipt	conceive protein mortein	conceivable perceivable	casein caffeine		ei
You seize your prize as well as the e before i. You seize protein for your health, You seize Mortein for the flies.
chief brief sheik frieze	Mostly i before e, except after c achieve		achievement hygiene		ie
A Siege A chief caught a young thief in a field. Grief changed to relief when a mischievous thief had to yield up his shield to a chief in a field. He was glad to believe in the priest’s reprieve.

i (igloo) Sayings its sound					Sound Group 5
igloo hint pink grip slid twin	habit digit picnic fillip tipping	optimist minimum criticism prohibit	intimidate diminishing incivility implicitly	invisibility	i
pyjamas myth gypsy cygnet system symbol	syrup crystal symptom syringe cymbal	platypus disyllable methylated synonym (ous)	amethyst antonym anonymous metonymy analyst		y
pretty	comedy * tragedy*	privilege barbecue	society		e
sieve					ie
forfeit					ei
forfeit					ei
busy	lettuce	minute			u
build		biscuit circuit			ui
u and i can’t build, we must engage a builder.
vehicles	exhibit	exhibitor	exhibition		hi
vehement					he
women					o

i (ice) Sayings its name					Sound Group 6
ice violin trial bisect spiral gastritis	spiral compliance inscribing collided appendicitis	arthritis tonsillitis hepatitis meningitis			i
pie tie	lie	die	magpie		ie
line	ride wife spike price snipe	oblige polite confide reside	missile	expedite advertise compromise enterprise intertwine	i-e
fly shy pry style type	cyclone pylon xylophone dynamics hypothesis	enzyme analyse paralyse prototype electrolyte	intensify disqualify amplify simplify pacify		y
buy		guy	buying		uy
light righteous	thigh foresight	blight sprightly	upright		igh
I go high to fix the light.
height	sleight (of hand)				eigh
eye					eye
dye	Sty	goodbye			ye
island	isle				is
aisle					ais
eiderdown	either*	Einstein	kaleidoscope		ei
Some people say ‘e-ther’ and some say i-ther, so put both e and i.

o (orange) Sayings its sound					Sound Group 7
dog loss bond flop prod jog	doctor sponsor tosses poppy rocking	lemonade horology colonise mnemonic harmony	lollipop golliwog apricot paragon anthropoid	rhinoceroses trigonometry anthropology chronology animosity	o
watch was wasp want squat	swallow washable squashing wander	squadron squalid quarrel* wallow**	quality quantity disqualify wallaby		a
The / ō / is really ar here. **The / ō / is really al.
Australia sausage austere laurel	auction caustic assault	cauliflower hydraulic			au
cough	trough (see also Letter-Based Groups)				ou
John	demi-jhn				oh
honest honourable honesty	honestly honorary honorarium				ho
luncheon	truncheon				eo
knowledge	rowlock				ow
broad	broadcast	abroad			oa

o (open) Sayings its name					Sound Group 8
open roll hold post comb	progress coheir go-cart vocal	monogram desolate pantomime melody	portfolio embargo volcano flamingo	albino	o
It felt like zero by the silo. A merino listened to the solo. Was there a banjo and piano, or only an alto and soprano?
Just add s for the plural.
toe hoe woe	foe floe	oboe throe	mistletoe tiptoe	goes	oe
hose code rose drove globe rope	compose microbe promote misquote corrode	microphone telescope episode rigmarole antidote	kaleidoscope anticyclone		o-e
boat load foam groan soak soap		refloat encroach scapegoat waistcoat bemoan	petticoat overcoat stagecoach cockroach approach	roadworthy unloading soapy gloating toasted	oa
snow crow show flow glow tow	rainbow elbow swallow minnow barrow	fellowship narrowing sorrowing widower following	foreshadow overthrow undertow overgrown		ow
owe					ot
depot sabot	entrpot	haricot (beans etc.)			ot
brooch					oo
plateau tableau trousseau	tonneau	beau tonneau	chateau		eau
plateau tableau trousseau	tonneau	beau tonneau	chateau		eau
oh!					oh
sew					ew
boatswain					oat
yeoman					eo
shoulder	remould				ou
dough	furlough	though	brougham		ough
mould	smoulder	boulder
Should I shoulder the boulder?
(see also Letter-Based Groups)

u (umbrella) Sayings its sound					Sound Group 9
umbrella up bus fuss junk	puffin subway hubbub fungus	album stirrup walnut nimbus	pendulum hibiscus prospectus thesaurus	apparatus hippopotamus auditorium eucalyptus metatarsus	u
mother some month front monk tongue (o-o -hugs for mother)	money comely colour oven Monday	among another	wonderful company comfortable covering		o
country (our) couple double trouble	cousin nourish flourish	famous callous spacious	generous coniferous frivolous	ambiguous mountainous ridiculous	ou
does	(See Building Spelling Cleverness)				oe
flood blood 'Good blood'	flood				oo
cupboard					up
around alive about among	father dance grant	sofa extra comma	vanilla media propaganda		a

The sound / ^ / presents many problems. Words ending in us (nouns) or ous (adjectives) may be 'put away' on this page.
The sound / A / at the beginning of many words and at the end of most words is spelt a. These words should be put away here, too.

u (uniform) Sayings its name				Sound Group 10
music uniform unit union usurp unite	unicorn unify united universe unison	monument pendulum insulate luxury ambulance	matriculate perpetual meticulous particular perpendicular	u
statue due cue sue hue pursue	value issue rescue argue residue	continue revenue barbecue avenue	discontinue undervalue	ue
tune cute mute tube fuse mule	confuse transfuse refuge rebuke globule	substitute introduce contribute longitude ridicule	ingratitude redistribute hypotenuse centrifuge superinduce	u-e
queue (long line of boys and girl: ue ue ue ue)				ueue
nuisance suitable suitcase	pursuit recruit conduit			ui
'U and I are a nuisance at the dance'.
adieu	lieu	purlieu		ieu
view preview	review	interview		iew
news hewn stew newt drew	mildew sinew curfew nephew	skewer pewter steward howl	sewerage	ew
ewe		awe		ewe
Euclid feudal euchre feud	neutralise eucalypt eulogy neurosis eurhythmics	pneumonia neurology neutrality pneumatic	Europe	eu
you	youth			you
beauty	beautiful	‘Be A beaUt, Mum’		eau

oo (book) Sayings its sound (Note; it is a double vowel)			Sound Group 11
book stood crook foot shook	forsook overlook falsehood childhood	goodness footstool tenderfoot neighbourhood	oo
could would	should	(See Words in Building Spelling Cleverness)	oul
pull push push(er) bush full bull	pudding pulley pulpit pullet bullet	bushel butcher fulfil (see also Sound Group 25) skilfully	u
wolf woman			o

oo (hoop) (Note; it is a double vowel)					Sound Group 12
hoop woo scoop(er) groove snooze mood	monsoon teaspoon mushroom festoon whirlpool	nincompoop pantaloon macaroon waterproof	hullabaloo peek-a-boo cockatoo shampoo bamboo		oo
Lose and Loose: My buttons are loose.(2 buttons,) Long threads of o's. Lose a button? Lose an o.)
rheumatism					eu
to do lode(er) who move*	loser proving mover	undo remove			o
Move: How many refrigerators could you? Only one.
shoe	canoe				oe
Shoe: Can’t put two o's, because you lost one (shoe) and bossy Mum e was cross!
two					wo
soup group route wound rouge	routine tourist Louis (d'or)	recoup caribou	cantaloup troubadour		ou
ruler June flute funeral cruel	ruin fluent rumour cruet plural	jubilee survive scrutiny fluency	instrument producing seclusion enthusiastic	jubilantly publication jurisdiction	u
manoeuvre					oeu
blue cue clue true flue	sue	accrue construe Glue the clue, (blue), to true.	misconstrue		ue
jewel grew screw drew threw	screwing beshrew	jewellery			ew
through	through (see also Letter-Based Groups,)				ough
fruit sit juice must cruise	bruised suitable recruit		You (u) and I like fruit. You and I wear suits. You and I, my dear penguin, not ruin our suits with bruised fruit or juice on the cruise.		ui
pleurisy	rheumatic	rheumatism			eu

ow (owl) Sayings its sound				Sound Group 13
owl howl frown growl clown crowd	drowsy prowler coward trowel rowdy	renown allowed eyebrow sundown endow	glowering allowing empower dowry overpower		ow
house (our) our oust cloud bounce sprout	sprouted sounding loutish doubtful mountain	resounding profoundly confounded announcement abounding	greyhound compound aground astound renounce		ou
A proud mouse went out round about our house. He found a mound of pounds upon the ground. With his mouth he counted them and never made a sound. Then a cloud in the south and the sight of a grouse made him shout out aloud and go off with a bound.
hour	hourly				hou
You need a chair(h) if you’ve to wait for an hour.
plough drought	(see also Letter-Based Groups) bough				ough
‘our’ words for faster recall* *based, of course, on spelling, not sound.	on in for see hear notice Mother likes our our	our our our our our our our our our ardour and	age has favourite nourishment eight keys for the out our	Courage honour favour flavour neighbour behaviour clamour fervour colours court courtesy journey demeanour endeavour

oy (boy) Sayings its name				Sound Group 14
boy toy troy coy joy amoy	boycott oyster royal voyage soy	employment enjoying disloyal flamboyant annoyance	corduroy saveloy viceroy gargoyle		oy
coin hoist poise choice quoit join	ointment moisture coinage jointly pointer	avoiding embroider exploiter appointment anointed	hydrofoil counterfoil disembroil maladroit		oi
buoy					uoy

r (rabbit) Sayings its sound			Sound Group 15
rabbit drag crest grill trot brudh	shrapnel stresses sprinkling shrove-tide scrubbing	pilgrimage outrageous congregate represent description	r
parrot berry scurry barrel marrow mirror	error errand torrid terror porridge	terrier porringer sorrowing merrier quarrelling	rrx
write wrap wrench wrist wrath wreck	wrongfully wringing wrinkly wrangler writhing	wretchedness overwrought	wr
rhombus rhyme rhythm	rhubarb rhomboid	rhetoric rheostat rheumatism rhinoceros rhododendron	rh

ar (car)				Sound Group 16
car star arm dart sharp yard	target partner charter barber harpoon	embargo departed retarded escarpment enlargement	exhilarate oligarchic oviparous patriarch standard		ar
galah bah ah	rajah punkah loofah hurrah	verandah Messiah	hallelujah		ah
aunt		Aunt and Uncle (au).			au
father task bask bath half grasp	casket fasten pastor pasture psalm	giraffe mirage moustache charade barrage	epitaph raspberry		a
My Father: His task is to take a basket to the castle and to ask for a plant in a bath or a vase. My father would rather fasten his calm calf to the palm but he can’t because of the brass band. He takes his calm calf fast past a flag at half mast. At last for my father a drink of raspberry in a glass and he sits on the grass by the class.
are	Bossy Mum says, “Where are you?”				are
heart hearth	hearty hearken				ear
clerk		sergeant			er
nougat					at
bazaar	The bazaar was bizarre.				aar
bizarre					arre
catarrh					arrh

er				Sound Group 17
flower her per timber bumper	clever number cloister her flower	person sermon fertile perplex perfect persuade	emperor observer funeral federal sorcerer	unilateral probationer upholsterer collateral supervisor recuperate	er
transferred preferred referred					err
learn search yearn pearl hearse heard	earnest earldom earthward earthen earthquake	rehearsal earthliness earnestly searchingly			ear
I heard if you yearn for learning and rise early to search earnestly and rehearse at each rehearsal, you earn pearls on earth.
were	'we were'				ere
fire lyre tyre hire theatre	acre fibre sombre meagre conspire	umpire perspire retire transpire massacre	kilometre manoeuvre calibre mediocre		re
The Ogre Fire: There was a fire by a theatre. Tyres were on fire in the centre of an acre of land. Firemen were desired and hired: they were inspired, admired. Police were required at the fire to enquire. They were all tired, of the ogre fire.
bird sir fir skirt twirl mirth	astir bestir	skirmish chirping smirking	elixir respiration aspirin affirmative aspiration		ir
Birds and Circles Look! A nest, firm in a fir tree. Mother bird circles, baby birds chirp, Mother birdstirs and stirs, baby birds whirl, swirl and twirl. First bird sits on a shirt. Next one stands on a skirt, Third one settles on dirt. What mirth! They all find water that squirts. Squirt the dirty bird. All are astir, the girl and sir. Birds and circles.
martyr	satyr zephyr	martyr			yr
myrrh					yrrh
collar* pillar solar dollar standard	farther orchard drunkard the	circular infirmary nearest	definite		ar
The sound is usually, of course, indefinite. The words should be put away under sound: either here or with Sound Group 16 (ar).
world worm worse worth work worst	worship wordy doctor motor pallor		foreword catchword watchword mirroring conductor		or
journey	courage journal courteous	labourer candour colour valour favour			our*
See also Sound Group 20 / ɔ / pronunciation preferred for colour. * Letter-Based Groups or more words using clue 'our'.
colonel					olo
church surf urge purse curl lurk	sturdy further survey Thursday surgeon	disturb murmur outburst upsurge unfurl	reimburse survivors urgently nursery pursuers		ur
I take my purse on purpose, to pursue the thing I want to purchase.
purr burr	demurred furry	occurred			urr
figure conjure fissure	disfigure leisure				ure

air				Sound Group 18
chair stair flair fair pair lair	and I run to... dairy hairy fairy despair repair	impair eclair mohair unfair affair	disrepair debonair repairing despairing		air
A pair of fair haired dairy boys sat on a chair. They fell down the stairs and were in despair for they couldn’t repair the chair. What an affair! Until a fairy came out of her lair and did the repair. (She had a flair for repair!)
scarecrow flare spare square fare beware	warfare ensnare outdare nightmare	declare declare prepare	earthenware thoroughfare unaware threadbare ploughshare		are
Car, take care! Star, don’t stare! Go far, pay a fare. On the bar, feet bare. Only a scar, no scare! Do not spar, please spare. Do not mar your mare. I’m aware a rare hare dares glare at scarecrows. I declare he said in the square just to share and compare the wares prepared. Take care! Take a boss (e), to drive a car with care.
millionaire	questionnaire	commissionaire			aire
Mary vary wary		scaring glaring sparing	preparing comparing declaring	vegetarian octogenarian	ar
Contrary Mary is wary, and does not vary. She’s caring and sparing and daring,
bear tear pear wear	outwear outswear bugbear	overbearing forebare forbearance			ear
A bear eats a pear and tears the clothes he wears.
where	there				ere
their	heir				eir
prayer					ayer
mayor					ayor
aeroplane	aerial	aerodrome	aerobatics		aer

eer (Note it is a double vowel)				Sound Group 19
deer steer jeer	cheer steering peerage deerhound seersucker	sneer veneer career overseer volunteer	profiteer auctioneer domineer mountaineer		eer
The Deer and the Engineer: An engineer will volunteer to pioneer and be a mountaineer. He’ll cheer the deer and steer the deer if they have beer and begin to career as if they are agree. He will not sheer nor be a mutineer. This engineer will be a seer, a pioneer.
ear clear spear rear smear year	earmark earwig tearful fearsome gearbox	appear arrears endear besmear headgear	disappearance overhearing endearment endearingly		ear
here	Doctor, I’m sincere. The pain is severe here and it’s merely a sphere but I’ll persevere if you don’t interfere with the atmosphere!				ere
cereal era hero zero Nero	serial serum period serious	inferior exterior superior	stereotype		er
pier ierce frontier pierce bier		cashier gondolier chiffonier fiercest	chandelier cavalier	fusilier	ier
weir	weird	weirdly			eir
souvenir					ir

or				Sound Group 20
horse horn cord form born lord	forward mortal fortune torment dormant	remorse forlorn abhor corridor metaphor	assortment subordinate extortion disorderly scorpion		or
sore more chore score lore fore	foreshore foresight forecast forego scorer	encore fourscore explore ignore therefore	stevedore pinafore commodore semaphore sycamore		ore
More About Sore and Bob: This boy Bob did his mother adore, yet mother’s advice did Bob ignore, for he wanted to go to the shore to explore. The shoes Bob wore, alas, they tore! He went to the store with feet so sore, for plasters galore he did implore, but more and more Bob did deplore before his feet he could restore!
oar soar hoarse hoard coarse boar		boarder hoarded hoarseness roaring coarsely	surfboard uproar cardboard cupboard starboard	uproarious coarseness oarsmanship	oar
mortgage					ort
pour four mourn course court	fourteen mournful coursing courtly	splendour* humour glamour saviour	(mis)behaviour (dis)honour endeavour (mis)demeanour		our
*See also Sound Group 17, our if / er / pronunciation is preferred for the words in the last two columns.
door floor poorly poor boor	doorstep outdoor mooring flooring	boorishness indoor	floorwalker moor		oor
sure surely	insure	insurance			ur
You’ve had a fire, so you (U) rush everywhere to be sure to insure the property and assure the future
thought ought	bought brought	thoughtful	thoughtfulness		ough
I thought they said, “oh, you go home!” (o-u-g-h)

or (ii)			Sound Group 21
paw claw thaw lawn sprawl squawk	awful awkward awning lawyer trawler	rickshaw outlaw pawpaw withdraw seesaw		aw
awe	awesome			awe
auntie & uncle ( autumn) automatic auditorium				au
You had to sweep up the autumn leaves because auntie and uncle were coming for tea. They like sauce with their meal.
fault jaunt taunt flaunt staunch	laundry saunter autumn cautious augment austere	defaulting assaulted applauding tarpaulin thesaurus precaution	plausibility authenticity nautical	au
war swarm dwarf warp wharf quart	reward forewarn award towards awkward	warder warbling thwarted quarterly	enthralled forestalling recalled	ar
wall chalk waltz squall bald	almost also already alter although	walrus scalded walnut instalment		a(1)
My clue is all. What do I do to all to make all say bald or waltz, or halter or scald? I’ll end with salt, but you must not halt till you know about all because all can talk.
caught taught haughty	naughty daughter	slaughter		augh
dinosaur minotaur				aur
exhaust exhaustion				hau
water				a

k (i) Sayings its sound				Sound Group 21
kitten skin task keg sank	skipper skittish kelpie sketchy skewer	casket trinket turkey silky hawking	musketeer handkerchief murkiness kerosene skeleton		k
cake spike choke duke	pancake rebuke provoke turnpike earthquake	artichoke undertake ladylike overtake wide-a-wake			ke
walk chalk talk	folk yolk				(l) k
khaki khan	khedive	gymkhana			kh
trekked					kk
queen squib quest quiz quell quote	require liquid frequent request inquire	qualify quality quandary squanderer squeamishness	inquisitive requisite acquisition acquaintance frequency		q
quoits quay quoin	marquee liquor	mosquito liquorice conqueror	mannequin etiquette masquerade		qu
cheque mosque plaque pique brusque	opaque unique oblique antique	grotesque physique technique burlesque	picturesque humoresque		que

k Sayings its sound				Sound Group 21
cat cog cup cart cash camel	escape locate coconut cactus crocus	cascaded percolate conclusive incorrect reconstruct	cavalcade lubricate nautical massacre ct medical	ecstatic statistic acoustic Antarctic characteristic	c
account occur hiccough succedent accordion	accurate moccasin occasion	tobacco morocco impeccable	malacca accommodate occasional		cc
duck track crock tick pluck sack	picket reckless tackling knick-knack rocket	padlock matlock attack cassock limerick	mackintosh acknowledge backwardness mackerel checkmate		ck
school ache choir chasm echo chord Christmas	chorus chemist scholar chaotic chronic	chloroform chiropractor chiropodist chrysalis chronicle	orchestra anarchist archaic synchronize architecture		ch
Children go to school. There they sing in the choir.
acquire acquit acquaint	acquiesce acquaintance	acquisitive			cq
racquet	lacquer				cqu
saccharine Bacchus	bacchant	bacchanalian			cch

k Sayings its name				Sound Group 22
snakes sash spats stilts socks sets	suspect sister spinster sponsor escape	subsidy distrust resistance subsistence subscription	synthesis stethoscope synopsis metamorphosis thrombosis		s
case tense chase glimpse	expanse eclipse	universe intersperse	hypotenuse apocalypse		se
I’m dense if I forget that immense expense creates intense suspense and makes no sense or nonsense.
dress miss cross fuss ass puss	assess address emboss hostess distress	dismissal embarrassing retrogressive predecessor repossessing	indistinctness outspokenness defencelessness characterless	Possess possesses two double sses.	ss
sword	answer	swordfish	swordsman		sw
“Swing your sword.” or your sword is your word!
listen castle trestle gristle jostle	rustling wrestling whistling bristling	epistle fasteners moistening listener	chastening christening glistening		st
bustle isthmus	mistletoe	hastening			sth
psalm psychic	psalmist	psoriasis	psychology psychopath		ps
crevasse finesse	impasse lacrosse	palliasse			sse

s Sayings its sound				Sound Group 22
cent, fence space since force dunce bounce	accept receive precede recent decent	certificate cenotaph cemetery censorship centimetre	reinforce precipice introduce frontispiece mispronounce		c(e)
city, pencil cinder cider circus cinch circuit	council acid concise precise decide	incinerator incidental incipient civilian civility	germicide exercise suicide coincide convincing		c(i)
cycle, tricycle cygnet cymbal cyclist fancy mercy	cyclamen cyanide cylinder cynosure cynical	bicycle tricycle supremacy encyclical encyclopaedia	diplomacy pharmacy piracy legacy		c(y)
scythe scenery scent science		descend rescind crescent transcend	oscillate condescend plebiscite quiescent	effervescent effervescent phosphorescent reminiscent	sc
convalesce reminisce effervesce	acquiesce fluoresce coalesce	phosphoresce incandesce			sce
Problem Letter Combinations
princess necessary access process	excess success	intercession predecessor			cess
busy 'ence' * learn Sound Group 5 ‘ense’ and call everything else busy ‘ence’					ence
occurrence occupance					ance

g Sayings its sound				Sound Group 23
gun gag gang grip glebe engulf	fragrant progress gargoyle magnet pentagon	omega monogram flamingo gelignite gregarious	Gorgonzola gargantuan mahogany obligation		g
trigger giggle waggle juggle wriggle	stagger goggles luggage gagging	struggling braggart lagging maggot	bedraggled outrigger doggedly raggedly		gg
guide guy guest* guild guard		guitar guiltless guiltless Guernsey gumea	beguile disguise safeguard rearguard	guillotine guarantee guerilla guardian	gu
Special work on guess: guessed, guest and quest.
ghost ghat ghee	gherkin ghetto ghastly gharry ghazi	aghast dinghy	ghostliness		gh
plague rogue vague morgue league vogue	intrigue fatigue prologue colleague synagogue	dialogue monologue catalogue epilogue	pedagogue		gue

J for jug; j for major Sayings its sound				Sound Group 24
jug jest jam jig	jacket jerky jingle junket	banjo conjure major prejudice	justify janitor juvenile jaguar	disjointed conjunction conjuror bubbly-jock	j
cage change gent large genius general	gentle Gentile ginger pigeon gorgeous	merger anchorage sergeant pageantry engagement	vegetarian submerged subterfuge sewerage		g(e)
giraffe giant giraffe gibber ginger	fragile raging digit rigid	regiment agility regional agitate	vigilance tragically agitation gigantic	strategist geologist psychologist archaeologist	g(i)
gym gypsum gyye gymnast gyrate	bulgy clergy spongy dingy	gymnasium gymkhana gyroscope strategy	ecology eulogy effigy ecology		g(y)
suggest					gg
bridge budget lodger gadget ledger judge	porridge partridge abridged dislodged adjudged	fledgeling hedgehog cudgelling drudgery bludgeon	foreknowledge acknowledge misjudgement hodge-podge		dge
A judge sat behind a hedge on the edge of a ledge by the ridge of the bridge. He ate porridge with knowledge.					dge
(midget, ledger, fidget, badger: see above, dge)					dg
adjust adjoin adjourn adjunct	adjective adjacent adjutant	adjustment adjournment readjustment			dj
soldier “I sold my soldier.”					di

I (contrary)				Sound Group 25
full	fulfil				fill
skill true truly whole wholly (role, hole)	skilful skilfully slowly gradually beautifully				full
roll	unroll	enrol control patrol	enrolled controlling patrolled	enrolment	roll
tell	retell	excel travel jewel rebel	excellent traveller jewellery rebellious		tell
Short words, two l's, but longer words lose an l, add some more, add an l.					tell
all at the end of words:		mostly all l's, sometimes one l			-all
		recall	pall appal	install (-ing) instal (-ment)	-all
all at the beginning of words:		making one word, one l			al-
almost already altar	almighty altogether alteration	almanac always alternate	although (see Letter-Based Groups)		al-
all as a separate word (non compound word):					all
		all right	all wrong		all
tranquil distil instil					il
wilful hopeful grateful wasteful harmful watchful	dutiful merciful beautiful	purposeful remorseful distasteful reproachful disdainful wonderful			full
gambol carol extol					ol
tunnel channel shrivel bevel	level shovel marvel swivel repel	unravel counsel dishevel			el

I Sayings its sound				Sound Group 25
lamp flannelette geniality vandalism	venality vigilant civility	symbolise paralleled		l
parallel				ll
elephant celery elegance elevator celebrate	delegate skeleton elect elegy	elect electric electricity accelerate		(ele)
colony colossal biology theology dolomite	apology geology solo(ist) galosh Solomon	symbologist phraseology pharmacologist meteorology	polo polonaise	(olo)
balance salad salary valance	stalactite avalanche			(ala)
agility ability vilify silica	gentility civility military militant	nobility servility		(ili)
candle twinkle angle table	gamble gentle dangle	trample sample simple		le
camel angle travel counsel novel swivel morsel	The Colonel: A colonel wearing flannel from a barrel shovels gravel. On a camel travels level with an angel in a parcel. He finds jewels and a towel in a funnel by a tunnel, and this colonel wearing flannel never quarrels with his camel.			el
animal annual local central	original nominal			al
pencil stencil civil council	civil April	The small pencil represents the i, and the large pencil represents the l.		il
carol petrol symbol gambol idol				ol
gazelle belle	Moselle			lle

f for fish; f for forty Sayings its sound				Sound Group 26
fish fluff fifty flip fox	fifth forty favour finger	reproof engulf herself twelfth	unfairly disfavour disfigure profusion	waterproof misbelief overleaf handkerchief*	f
knife safe chafe	housewife vouchsafe				fe
coffee fluff cuff* staff cliff	offer offence riffraff bluff	sheriff tariff plaintiff handcuff	officer ruffian raffia rebuffed	effective effeminate affirmative affected*	ff
giraffe					ffe
phone phlox photo phonics phantom phase	orphan hyphen siphon dolphin typhoon	pharmacy physical philosophy phenomenon philanthropist	cenotaph epitaph telegraph cardiograph catastrophe		ph
rough tough cough laugh draught	laughter tougher coughed roughage	draughtsman toughened coughing roughness	enough laughing roughened		gh
soften	often	oftener	softener		ft
half half halfpenny halfwit	calfskin	halfback	behalf		If
lieutenant					u
sapphire	sapphirine				pph
* Plurals:	The chief ’s handkerchiefs blew from the roof to the cliffs.				pph

v Sayings its sound				Sound Group 27
van valve velvet oven seven vacant	clover haven liver quaver proven	violin violent visible volatile	eleven enliven envisage survival dissolve		v
twelve loaves* shelves dove stove pave delve twelve	captive involve revive motive active absolve resolve involve dissolve	detective objective secretive tentative positive	locomotive primitive competitive inquisitive inattentive		ve
halves* calves salve					( 1 ) ve
of					f
nephew	Stephen				ph
* -ves plurals:	‘olves and thieves steal loaves from wharves.

th (voiceless)				Sound Group 28
three thrill thin thing throng thank	fifth sixth twelfth tenth width	path length heath wreath thermometer	thirteenth thirtieth diphthong ophthalmia		th
th (voiced)					th
clothes this then than thou those these them	thus thine there theirs therefore though	bathe other thither whither tether heather	scythe clothe
Last Thursday they thought that Thor threw thunder at the thief over there. This time, though, I think he threatened to throw three thousand thorny thistles at those other thirsty, thieving thugs.

sh (1)				Sound Group 29
ship shade shed shop shut shy	finish relish selfish varnish refresh	worshipped dishevelled brandished publisher polisher	diminish admonish extinguish impoverish macintosh		sh
cushion cushion cushion	fashion	fashionable			shi
It’s the fashion to have a cushion in the car.					shi
extension mansion pension version tension	expansion extension dimension expulsion	comprehension apprehension condescension			si
pressure	assurance	reassuringly			ss
discussion mission fission	possession confession admission omission	expression concession obsession concussion	impression profession permission compression		ssi
unconscious conscious luscious	conscionable conscience	impression profession permission compression			sci
sugar sure	surely surely	insure insurance			s
composition mention action auction patient motion	invention prevention venetian Alsatian fictitious	examination explanation indication publication dedication	fabrication humiliation specification personification confidential		ti
Don’t mention the composition!					ti
musician special social spacious gracious precious	commercial tenacious audacious precocious optician	inefficient insufficient coefficient beneficiary electrician			ci
ocean cetacean	herbaceous	crustacean	cetacean		ce
machine chef chute chaise chagrin	chalet charade chamois chateau champagne	machine crochet ricochet parachute	chandelier char-a-banc chivalry		ch
moustache					che
anxious noxious	inflexion luxury (see Letter-Based Groups)				xi

ch				Sound Group 30
chop chin chart choke check impeachment	chapter Chinese chiming chisel entrenched	ostrich spinach vouch detach detachment	chinchilla cochineal mischievous surcharge handkerchief	ch
match ditch clutch	sketch crutch switch	hitch-hike ketchup	slapstick hopscotch	tch
question digestion combustion	indigestion exhaustion suggestion			ti
cello	cellist			c

t Sayings its sound				Sound Group 31
top tart test tint tuft tot	tactful talent tasty tantrum textile	tentative testator tale-teller tantamount tripartite	inconsistent omnipotent incompetent impertinent entertainment		t
gate route kite mote	granite senate private devote	opposite composite destitute	investigate substituted instituting		te
button watt butt putt cattle kettle	tattoo lettuce cotton gutted twitter	permitted committee regretting forgotten boycotting			tt
intersect indict abstract victim verdict	You don’t really hear the c, but you hear a pause, so put a letter.				ct
debt doubt	subtle debtor doubtless	subtlety It’s bad to be in debt.			bt
receipt	You'll get one when you Pay.				pt
yacht	yachting yachtsman I want to say ya-ch-t !	yachtsmanship			cht
cigarette gazette gavotte	cassette palette burette pipette	brunette omelette	flannelette serviette		tte
thyme	thymic	Thomas			th
veldt					dt
chopped	See Sound Group 39, d at the end of words.				ed

z Sayings its name				Sound Group 32
zoo zoom zone zero zinc zeal	quiz waltz fez whi quartz	zebra zephyr zither z zany crazy	breezy frenzy wizard lazy zeppelin	zinnia zodiac zealously zoology	z
prize craze size maize	trapeze capsize amaze	capsizable amazement sneezeweed	criticise minimise syllabize		ze
glaze	ablaze	breezeway	ostracise		ch
puzzle buzz jazz fizz muzzle	guzzled embezzle bedazzle razzle-dazzle	sizzling drizzly buzzard grizzly	frizziness grizzlier mezzanine embezzlement		zz
logs posy pansy spasm chasm	posies cosmos houses browses	residuals provisos fiascos dynamos	antagonism euphemism euthanasia microcosm		s
rose fuse vise these surprise	noise phrase ease	surmise disused refused	diagnose analyse paraphrase hypotenuse		se
scissors	dissolve	possession			ss
boy's toys					's
xylophone	xenophobia,				x

zh			Sound Group 33
measure treasure pleasure closure leisure erasure	enclosure disclosure composure exposure			s
television invasion evasion fusion	provision collision adhesion intrusion incision conclusion	occasion division precision persuasion illusion supervision		si

y Sayings its sound		Sound Group 34
yacht yard yak youth year	yellow yodel youngest youthful	y
onion union junior million billion	pinion valiant brilliant stallion	i
Jugoslav	hallelujah,	j

w Sayings its sound				Sound Group 35
web well wet wind wag	wither winter wagon wallet	shadowy arrowroot yellowfish safflower	foreshadow disavow bungalow overthrow		w
quick quilt quack quest quite suite suave	quarterly quadrangle quality quadruped suede anguish dissuade	inquiry liquify inquisitive language persuade assuage suasion	consequently subsequent delinquent iniquitous sanguine languish		u
choir	boudoir memoir coiffure	shadowy arrowroot yellowfish safflower	foreshadow		u
wh wheel when where whiff whip which	whine white while whale whirl	whimper whitening whisper whipping whatever	wheeze whisker whenever wharf		wh

m Saving its sound				Sound Group 36
man mop mum mint mesh mate	member mimic moment mumbling memoir	remember immemorial dismember anemometer	memorandum momentum optimism pessimism minimum		m
hammer drummer swimming stammer summer hemming	mammal mammoth summon common gimmick	persimmon commandeer commiserate commission			mm
game grime fame tome fume	sublime presume inflame perfume	timely homestead sameness shameful	pantomime maritime metronome aerodrome		me
emblem	system problem anthem				em
lamb limb comb crumb climb	succumb benumb entomb coxcomb	honeycomb disentomb catacomb aplomb			mb
autumn hymn damn	condemn solemn column				mn
blossom bottom wisdom fathom venom custom	freedom kingdom symptom seldom				om
palm calm balm qualm	psalm salmon psalmist qualmish	becalm embalm			lm
program	(programme)	See USA/UK Spelling list In the Extra Mastery Page.			mme
phlegm	diaphragm epiphragm				gm

n Sayings its name				Sound Group 37
nest nun ninth none neon	nineteenth nonsense contend canine	nonagon banana dependent enhance	nonconformist nonagenarian nomination genuine		n
dinner inn finn pennant tonnage	manner shinning	antennae perennial unannounced	reconnaissance annotation disconnection annuitant		nn
knife knot knee know knight knoll	knapsack knowledge knighthood knitting knocking	knowledgeable knicker-bockers acknowledging unknowingly			kn
The knowledgeable knight knows about knaves and knackers who knit knickerbockers and knock their knobbly knees when kneeling, begging to the cook kneading dough with a knife and her knuckles for bread to fill their knapsacks before knotting them.
gnaw gnat gnash gnome gnu gnaw	gnomic gnosis gnarled gnawing	gnashing gnomon			gn
The gnome gnashed his teeth at the gnat gnawing the gnu.
pneumonia	pneumatic				pn
Wednesday					dne
grandpa	sandwich	grandma			nd
mnemonics					mn
epergne	champagne	eau-de-Cologne			gne

n (near the end of the words) Sayings its sound
engine shone none pine one done	vaccine benzine cocaine sardine quinine	imagine examine determine discipline genuine	quarantine tangerine caffeine heroine		ne
chicken golden deafen smarten	worsen freshen	enlighten citizen dishearten	overburden shortening	moisten listen soften	en
elephant thousand garland	brigand Shetland	England			an
curtain boatswain coxswain chaplain bargain	Britain captain certain villain	porcelain chamberlain mountainous			ain
I’m certain no captain needs a curtain up a mountain. No captain wants to bargain with a villain by a fountain.
lion dragon ribbon tendon	common summon python	religion imprison jettison	comparison orpington		on
basin cousin satin	origin aspirin	muffin raisin			in
sign reign design feign assign	consign resign ensign countersign	condign benign align			gn
foreign	sovereign				eign
Foreign: Why difficult? Feign from resigning.

ng				Sound Group 38
sing cling wing sting spring	flinging swinging stringing bringing				ing
song gong strong	belong furlong	songster thronging	billabong		o ng
boomerang slang fang hang sprang	gangway gangster hanger mustang	boomerang coat hanger			a ng
rung flung swung hung lung	bungler stung				u ng
length lengthy strength	lengthen lengthwise strengthen				e ng
tongue harangue	tongue-tied meringue				ngue
finger angle mingle tingle bangle new-fangled	banker hunger monger	linger angry hungry bungler			n

d (at the end of the word)				Sound Group 39
spade hide fade strode ride	explode stampede grenade provide	gratitude marmalade solitude coincide	barricade cavalcade insecticide escalade		de
add ladder daddy peddle fiddle	bedding ridden coddle nodding	paddle budding			dd
chopped fined stepped hopped filled tried	finished jumped listed missed shocked	rubbed inscribed absorbed advanced managed	experienced pronounced experienced	governed rubbished	ed
crowd find scald word herd heard*	absurd defend record orchard	remind expand resound descend	found* wound* sold* told*		d
For words ending in ld, see Sound Group 11 oul.					id

These words, though the action is finished, do not end in ed. They may be easily formed from the present tense in the following manner:
a. write the present tense: sell
b. say the past tense: sold
c. decide which sounds change...
d. change sell to sold

tell	told
find	found
hold	held
wind	wound
hear	heard
grind	ground

b Sayings its sound			Sound Group 40
baby bob bib bad bend bad	bamboo barber baboon bubble	barbaric barbecue Biblical	b
bubbles scrabble squabble pebble nibble scribble	dabbling bobbing rubber rabbit cabbage	cobwebby rubbished snobbishly rubbery shabbily	bb
globe			be

p Sayings its name				Sound Group 41
pig pat pop pup pin poop	paper piping poplin puppy poppy	populate popular Papuan propeller propaganda	apart aperture aptitude apostrophe apology		p
puppy scrappy choppy snappy poppy happy	shopping shipping wrapping ripping dripping	pepper puppet trapper supper happen	appal appeal applaud appliance appreciative		pp
grape					pe

h Sayings its sound		Sound Group 42
hat		h
who? whom whole whose whoop	wholly wholesale wholesome whooping	wh

Before you continue to the next and last Activity, we suggest that you re do Activities 15, 16, 17, and 18 as they all refer to the Sound Dictionary. When you did them you had not seen the dictionary so it will help your overall understanding. Besides, those activities are complex and so the revision will help you.

In the next and last Activity, you will see why the use of USA spelling is different to that of UK spelling, and the confusions they create.

< Sound Dictionary & Information

The Sounds of English and their Spellings

a (apple) Sayings its sound

Sound Group 1

The sound /ae/ presents little difficulty. Words ending in – ant and – ance are a problem, so collecting them here using ant and dance for clues is helpful. See also Sound Group 37 (an). In normal speech, of course, the sound of the a in many of these words is indefinite (schwa) /a/.

a (angel) Sayings its name

Sound Group 2

e (egg) Sayings its sound

Sound Group 3

e (emu) Sayings its name

Sound Group 4

i (igloo) Sayings its sound

Sound Group 5

i (ice) Sayings its name

Sound Group 6

o (orange) Sayings its sound

Sound Group 7

o (open) Sayings its name

Sound Group 8

u (umbrella) Sayings its sound

Sound Group 9

The sound / ^ / presents many problems. Words ending in us (nouns) or ous (adjectives) may be 'put away' on this page. The sound / A / at the beginning of many words and at the end of most words is spelt a. These words should be put away here, too.

u (uniform) Sayings its name

Sound Group 10

oo (book) Sayings its sound (Note; it is a double vowel)

Sound Group 11

oo (hoop) (Note; it is a double vowel)

Sound Group 12

ow (owl) Sayings its sound

Sound Group 13

oy (boy) Sayings its name

Sound Group 14

r (rabbit) Sayings its sound

Sound Group 15

ar (car)

Sound Group 16

er

Sound Group 17

air

Sound Group 18

eer (Note it is a double vowel)

Sound Group 19

or

Sound Group 20

or (ii)

Sound Group 21

k (i) Sayings its sound

Sound Group 21

k Sayings its sound

Sound Group 21

k Sayings its name

Sound Group 22

s Sayings its sound

Sound Group 22

g Sayings its sound

Sound Group 23

J for jug; j for major Sayings its sound

Sound Group 24

I (contrary)

Sound Group 25

I Sayings its sound

Sound Group 25

f for fish; f for forty Sayings its sound

Sound Group 26

v Sayings its sound

Sound Group 27

th (voiceless)

Sound Group 28

sh (1)

Sound Group 29

ch

Sound Group 30

t Sayings its sound

Sound Group 31

z Sayings its name

Sound Group 32

zh

Sound Group 33

y Sayings its sound

Sound Group 34

w Sayings its sound

The sound / ^ / presents many problems. Words ending in us (nouns) or ous (adjectives) may be 'put away' on this page.
The sound / A / at the beginning of many words and at the end of most words is spelt a. These words should be put away here, too.

n (near the end of the words)
Sayings its sound

These words, though the action is finished, do not end in ed. They may be easily formed from the present tense in the following manner:
a. write the present tense: sell
b. say the past tense: sold
c. decide which sounds change...
d. change sell to sold