How to spell library
A Year 3 and 4 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
library
L-I-B-R-A-R-Y
The part to watch: two r letters (li-brar-y). The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
Many people say "lie-bree", which loses the first r. The word has two r letters.
Library is one of the words on the Year 3 and 4 list with a letter you hardly hear. When we speak quickly, a letter or a whole beat gets swallowed. Say the word slowly, the way it is spelt, so every letter has a sound.
Common mistakes with library
- Wrong: libaryRight: library
- Wrong: libreryRight: library
A way to remember it
Say it in your spelling voice as "li-brar-y". There is an r after the b and another after the a.
Library in syllables
li · brar · y
Library has 3 syllables. Say each one as you write it. Often said "lie-bree". The first r is there even when you do not hear it.
In a sentence
I borrowed three books from the library.
Library on the statutory list
Library 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 library, then nine more words from the Year 3 and 4 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words with a letter you hardly hear
These words from the Year 3 and 4 list share the same pattern as library.
More words
Questions parents ask
What is the plural of library?
Libraries. The y changes to i before -es. A librarian works in a library, and both have r after the b.
Spelling is one part of the picture
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