How to spell arrive
A Year 3 and 4 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
arrive
A-R-R-I-V-E
The part to watch: a double r, and a silent e at the end. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
Arrive has two r letters, although you only hear one. It also ends with an e you do not say.
Arrive is one of the words on the Year 3 and 4 list with a double letter. A consonant is doubled somewhere in the word, and that is the part that goes wrong. Say the word slowly and count the doubles before you write it.
Common mistakes with arrive
- Wrong: ariveRight: arrive
- Wrong: arrveRight: arrive
A way to remember it
When you arrive, you go "r r r" like a car pulling up: two r letters.
Arrive in syllables
ar · rive
Arrive has 2 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
The train will arrive at ten o'clock.
Arrive on the statutory list
Arrive is on the Year 3 and 4 statutory word list in the national curriculum for England. Children are taught these words in Years 3 and 4, when they are 7 to 9.
Test yourself
A short spelling test that starts with arrive, then nine more words from the Year 3 and 4 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words with a double letter
These words from the Year 3 and 4 list share the same pattern as arrive.
More words
Questions parents ask
How do you spell arriving and arrival?
Drop the e of arrive before a vowel ending: arriving, arrived, arrival. The double r stays.
Spelling is one part of the picture
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