How to spell foreign
A Year 5 and 6 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
foreign
F-O-R-E-I-G-N
The part to watch: ei, and a silent g. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
Foreign has ei, not ie, and a silent g before the n. It breaks the "i before e" rhyme.
Foreign is one of the words on the Year 5 and 6 list with a silent letter. These words have a letter you write but do not say. Many were said long ago and the spelling kept them.
Common mistakes with foreign
- Wrong: foriegnRight: foreign
- Wrong: foreinRight: foreign
- Wrong: forignRight: foreign
A way to remember it
Foreign, sovereign and reign all hide a g before the n.
Foreign in syllables
for · eign
Foreign has 2 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
Learning a foreign language is fun.
Foreign on the statutory list
Foreign 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 foreign, then nine more words from the Year 5 and 6 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words with a silent letter
These words from the Year 5 and 6 list share the same pattern as foreign.
More words
Questions parents ask
How do you spell foreigner?
Foreigner is foreign + er. The silent g stays.
Spelling is one part of the picture
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