How to spell perhaps
A Year 3 and 4 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
perhaps
P-E-R-H-A-P-S
The part to watch: per + haps, starting p, e, r. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
Quick speech makes perhaps sound like "praps", so people write "prehaps". It is per, then haps.
Perhaps is one of the words on the Year 3 and 4 list with no single spelling rule. These words follow no single rule. Look, say, cover, write and check them a few times a week until they stick.
Common mistakes with perhaps
- Wrong: prehapsRight: perhaps
- Wrong: perhappsRight: perhaps
A way to remember it
Perhaps is per + haps. "Haps" is an old word for things that happen by chance, as in mishap.
Perhaps in syllables
per · haps
Perhaps has 2 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
We could perhaps go to the beach tomorrow.
Perhaps on the statutory list
Perhaps 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 perhaps, then nine more words from the Year 3 and 4 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words to learn by heart
Other words on the Year 3 and 4 list to learn by heart.
More words
Questions parents ask
Is it perhaps or prehaps?
Perhaps. It starts per, as in person and perfect, not pre.
Spelling is one part of the picture
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