How to spell aggressive
A Year 5 and 6 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
aggressive
A-G-G-R-E-S-S-I-V-E
The part to watch: a double g and a double s. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
Aggressive has two doubles: gg near the start and ss in the middle. People often drop one of them.
Aggressive is one of the words on the Year 5 and 6 list with a double letter at the start. Many long words begin ac, ag, ap, at, com, cor, im, oc, op, suf or sug with a doubled consonant. Most began as a prefix joined to a root, and the letter doubled where the two met.
Common mistakes with aggressive
- Wrong: agressiveRight: aggressive
- Wrong: aggresiveRight: aggressive
A way to remember it
Aggressive has two g letters to growl with and two s letters to hiss with.
Aggressive in syllables
ag · gres · sive
Aggressive has 3 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
The goose became aggressive when we went near its nest.
Aggressive on the statutory list
Aggressive is on the Year 5 and 6 statutory word list in the national curriculum for England. Children are taught these words in Years 5 and 6, when they are 9 to 11.
Test yourself
A short spelling test that starts with aggressive, then nine more words from the Year 5 and 6 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words with a double letter at the start
These words from the Year 5 and 6 list share the same pattern as aggressive.
More words
Questions parents ask
How do you spell aggression?
Aggression keeps both doubles, gg and ss: a-g-g-r-e-s-s-i-o-n.
Spelling is one part of the picture
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