How to spell length
A Year 3 and 4 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
length
L-E-N-G-T-H
The part to watch: long becomes length, keeping the g. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
Length comes from long, so it keeps the ng. The g is easy to miss because it melts into the th.
Length is one of the words on the Year 3 and 4 list with the letters ngth. Long and strong become length and strength. Keep the g when you add th, even though it is easy to miss.
Common mistakes with length
- Wrong: lenthRight: length
- Wrong: lenghtRight: length
A way to remember it
Length is how long something is, and it keeps the ng of long: len, g, th.
Length in syllables
length
Length has one syllable, so learn it as a whole word.
In a sentence
Measure the length of your pencil.
Length on the statutory list
Length 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 length, then nine more words from the Year 3 and 4 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words with the letters ngth
These words from the Year 3 and 4 list share the same pattern as length.
More words
Questions parents ask
How do you spell lengthen?
Lengthen is length + en, keeping the g. Lengthy is length + y.
Spelling is one part of the picture
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