How to spell immediate
A Year 5 and 6 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
immediate
I-M-M-E-D-I-A-T-E
The part to watch: a double m, and it ends -ate. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
Immediate starts with a double m. The ending sounds like "ee-ut", but it is spelt -iate.
Immediate is one of the words on the Year 5 and 6 list with a double letter at the start. Many long words begin ac, ag, ap, at, com, cor, im, oc, op, suf or sug with a doubled consonant. Most began as a prefix joined to a root, and the letter doubled where the two met.
Common mistakes with immediate
- Wrong: imediateRight: immediate
- Wrong: immedieteRight: immediate
A way to remember it
Immediate has "media" inside it: im + media + te.
Immediate in syllables
im · me · di · ate
Immediate has 4 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
The fire alarm needs an immediate response.
Immediate on the statutory list
Immediate is on the Year 5 and 6 statutory word list in the national curriculum for England, printed there as immediate(ly). 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 immediate, then nine more words from the Year 5 and 6 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words with a double letter at the start
These words from the Year 5 and 6 list share the same pattern as immediate.
More words
Questions parents ask
Why does immediate have a double m?
It is im + mediate. When im meets a word starting with m, you get mm, as in immature and immortal.
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