Common exception words · Grade R
Some very common words don't follow the usual sound rules, or have a tricky part: said, was, the, people. They are called common exception words (or tricky words). You can't sound them out completely, so you learn how they look.
Key facts
- Many are among the words we use most: the, said, was, you, they, are, were, one, school.
- Find the tricky part: in said the letters ai sound like the e in bed; in was the a sounds like o.
- Learn them with look, say, cover, write, check: look at the word, say it, cover it, write it, then check it.
- Words in a family share their tricky part: could, would, should all end in ould.
- Some sound the same as another word, so the sentence tells you which one: our and hour, whole and hole.
Worked examples
Example 1
Which is spelt correctly: sed, said or sayd?
Answer: said
Example 2
Fill the gap: I ___ like a drink. (wud or would?)
Answer: would
Example 3
Correct the spelling: Lots of peeple came.
Answer: Lots of people came.