How to spell opportunity
A Year 5 and 6 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
opportunity
O-P-P-O-R-T-U-N-I-T-Y
The part to watch: op + port + unity. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
Opportunity starts with a double p, and the next vowel is o. People write "oppurtunity" because the o sounds like "uh".
Opportunity 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 opportunity
- Wrong: oppurtunityRight: opportunity
- Wrong: oportunityRight: opportunity
A way to remember it
Op + port + unity: a ship in port has the opportunity to rest.
Opportunity in syllables
op · por · tu · ni · ty
Opportunity has 5 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
The trip is a great opportunity to see real penguins.
Opportunity on the statutory list
Opportunity 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 opportunity, 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 opportunity.
More words
Questions parents ask
What is the plural of opportunity?
Opportunities. The y changes to i before -es.
Spelling is one part of the picture
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