How to spell occupy
A Year 5 and 6 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
occupy
O-C-C-U-P-Y
The part to watch: a double c, one p. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
Occupy has a double c near the start, and only one p.
Occupy 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 occupy
- Wrong: ocupyRight: occupy
- Wrong: occuppyRight: occupy
A way to remember it
Occupy and occur both start with occ.
Occupy in syllables
oc · cu · py
Occupy has 3 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
Board games occupy us on rainy days.
Occupy on the statutory list
Occupy is on the Year 5 and 6 statutory word list in the national curriculum for England. Children are taught these words in Years 5 and 6, when they are 9 to 11.
Test yourself
A short spelling test that starts with occupy, 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 occupy.
More words
Questions parents ask
How do you spell occupied?
The y of occupy changes to i before -ed or -es: occupied, occupies. Before -ing it stays: occupying.
Spelling is one part of the picture
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