How to spell equip
A Year 5 and 6 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
equip
E-Q-U-I-P
The part to watch: e + quip, one p. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
Equip starts e, then qu, which says "kw". It has only one p, which doubles before -ed and -ing but not before -ment.
Equip is one of the words on the Year 5 and 6 list with a suffix to watch. A suffix is an ending such as -ment, -tion or -ed. Sometimes the root word changes when you add it: a letter is dropped, doubled or swapped.
This one is different. Equip is the root itself. It is in this group because of equipped and equipment, which add a suffix to it.
A way to remember it
Equipped and equipping double the p; equipment does not.
Equip in syllables
e · quip
Equip has 2 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
We will equip the team with new shirts.
Equip on the statutory list
Equip is on the Year 5 and 6 statutory word list in the national curriculum for England, printed there as equip (-ped, -ment). Children are taught these words in Years 5 and 6, when they are 9 to 11.
From the same entry
Test yourself
A short spelling test that starts with equip, then nine more words from the Year 5 and 6 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words with a suffix to watch
These words from the Year 5 and 6 list share the same pattern as equip.
More words
Questions parents ask
How do you spell equipping?
The p doubles before -ing as well as -ed: equipping, equipped.
Spelling is one part of the picture
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