How to spell island
A Year 3 and 4 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
island
I-S-L-A-N-D
The part to watch: a silent s (is + land). The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
You say "eye-land", but there is an s after the i. The s is not said.
Island 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 island
- Wrong: ilandRight: island
- Wrong: ilendRight: island
A way to remember it
An island is land with sea all round it: is + land.
Island in syllables
is · land
Island has 2 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
The pirates sailed to a desert island.
Island on the statutory list
Island 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 island, 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 island.
More words
Questions parents ask
Does islander keep the silent s?
Yes. Islander keeps the s. Isle, another word for an island, has a silent s too.
Spelling is one part of the picture
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