How to spell physical
A Year 5 and 6 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
physical
P-H-Y-S-I-C-A-L
The part to watch: ph says f, and y says i. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
Physical starts with ph, which says f, then a y that says a short i. It comes from Greek.
Physical is one of the words on the Year 5 and 6 list with y doing the job of a vowel. In these words the letter y does the job of a vowel. Usually it says the short i of gym, and sometimes the "eye" of my.
Here the y says i, as in gym.
Common mistakes with physical
- Wrong: phisicalRight: physical
- Wrong: fisicalRight: physical
- Wrong: physicleRight: physical
A way to remember it
Physical exercise is PE: it starts with a P, even though it sounds like f.
Physical in syllables
phys · i · cal
Physical has 3 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
Football is a very physical game.
Physical on the statutory list
Physical 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 physical, then nine more words from the Year 5 and 6 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words with y doing the job of a vowel
These words from the Year 5 and 6 list share the same pattern as physical.
More words
Questions parents ask
How do you spell physically?
Physically is physical + ly, so it has a double l.
Spelling is one part of the picture
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