How to spell guide
A Year 3 and 4 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
guide
G-U-I-D-E
The part to watch: g + u + ide, with the u silent. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
You say "gide", but a silent u follows the g. It ends with a silent e.
Guide is one of the words on the Year 3 and 4 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 guide
- Wrong: gideRight: guide
- Wrong: giudeRight: guide
A way to remember it
Guide and guard both have a silent u after the g. The guide leads you, the guard keeps you safe.
Guide in syllables
guide
Guide has one syllable, so learn it as a whole word.
In a sentence
The guide showed us around the museum.
Guide on the statutory list
Guide 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 guide, then nine more words from the Year 3 and 4 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words with a silent letter
These words from the Year 3 and 4 list share the same pattern as guide.
More words
Questions parents ask
How do you spell guidance?
Guidance is guide + ance. The e of guide drops, and the silent u stays.
Spelling is one part of the picture
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