How to spell controversy
A Year 5 and 6 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
controversy
C-O-N-T-R-O-V-E-R-S-Y
The part to watch: contro + versy, with an o in the middle and s at the end. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
The vowel after contr is o, though it sounds like "uh". The ending is -sy, not -cy or -sey.
Controversy 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 controversy
- Wrong: contraversyRight: controversy
- Wrong: controverseyRight: controversy
A way to remember it
A controversy has two sides that go against each other: "contra" means against, and the word starts contro.
Controversy in syllables
con · tro · ver · sy
Controversy has 4 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
There was a controversy about the referee's decision.
Controversy on the statutory list
Controversy 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 controversy, 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 controversy.
More words
Questions parents ask
How do you spell controversial?
The -sy of controversy changes to -sial: controversial.
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