How to spell eighth
A Year 3 and 4 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
eighth
E-I-G-H-T-H
The part to watch: eight + h, keeping the t. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
Eighth is eight with an h added. The t stays, so there is a t and then an h: eight, h.
Eighth is one of the words on the Year 3 and 4 list with the letters ei, eigh or ie. The letters ei, eigh and ie can make several sounds. These words have to be learnt as a group, because the sound does not tell you which letters to use.
Common mistakes with eighth
- Wrong: eigthRight: eighth
- Wrong: eightthRight: eighth
A way to remember it
Write the whole of eight first, then add h. You never take letters away.
Eighth in syllables
eighth
Eighth has one syllable, so learn it as a whole word.
In a sentence
Today is the eighth day of the month.
Eighth on the statutory list
Eighth is on the Year 3 and 4 statutory word list in the national curriculum for England, printed there as eight/eighth. Children are taught these words in Years 3 and 4, when they are 7 to 9.
From the same entry
Test yourself
A short spelling test that starts with eighth, then nine more words from the Year 3 and 4 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words with the letters ei, eigh or ie
These words from the Year 3 and 4 list share the same pattern as eighth.
More words
Questions parents ask
How do you spell eighteenth and eightieth?
Eighteenth is eighteen + th. Eightieth changes the y of eighty to ie, then adds th.
Spelling is one part of the picture
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