How to spell caught
A Year 3 and 4 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
caught
C-A-U-G-H-T
The part to watch: c + augh + t, with augh saying "or". The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
You hear "cort", but the "or" sound is spelt augh. The gh is silent.
Caught is one of the words on the Year 3 and 4 list with the letters ough or augh. The letters ough make at least five different sounds, and augh often says "or". Learn these words by sight, as a family.
Common mistakes with caught
- Wrong: coughtRight: caught
- Wrong: caugtRight: caught
A way to remember it
Caught belongs with taught and daughter: they all have augh.
Caught in syllables
caught
Caught has one syllable, so learn it as a whole word.
In a sentence
The goalkeeper caught the ball with both hands.
Caught on the statutory list
Caught 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 caught, then nine more words from the Year 3 and 4 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words with the letters ough or augh
These words from the Year 3 and 4 list share the same pattern as caught.
More words
Questions parents ask
What is the difference between caught and court?
In many British accents they sound the same. Caught is the past of catch: "She caught the ball." A court is a place for a sport or a trial, such as a tennis court.
Spelling is one part of the picture
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