How to spell awkward
A Year 5 and 6 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
awkward
A-W-K-W-A-R-D
The part to watch: w before the k, and w again after it. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
Awkward has two w letters, one on each side of the k. The first one is easy to forget.
Awkward is one of the words on the Year 5 and 6 list with a letter you hardly hear. When we speak quickly, a letter or a whole beat gets swallowed. Say the word slowly, the way it is spelt, so every letter has a sound.
Common mistakes with awkward
- Wrong: akwardRight: awkward
- Wrong: awkardRight: awkward
A way to remember it
Awkward is awk + ward, and it looks awkward: w, k, w in a row.
Awkward in syllables
awk · ward
Awkward has 2 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
There was an awkward silence after the joke.
Awkward on the statutory list
Awkward 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 awkward, then nine more words from the Year 5 and 6 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words with a letter you hardly hear
These words from the Year 5 and 6 list share the same pattern as awkward.
More words
Questions parents ask
How do you spell awkwardly?
Awkwardly is awkward + ly. Both w letters stay.
Spelling is one part of the picture
The free diagnostic checks maths, English and both kinds of reasoning, and shows what to practise next. No card is required.