How to spell position
A Year 3 and 4 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
position
P-O-S-I-T-I-O-N
The part to watch: one s, and it ends -tion. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
Position has one s, which sounds like z. The "shun" ending is spelt -tion.
Position is one of the words on the Year 3 and 4 list with a -tion, -cial or -cient ending. These words end in -tion, -cial or -cient, where ti or ci usually says "sh": men-tion, spe-cial, an-cient. After an s, as in question, -tion says "chun" instead, but the letters stay the same.
Common mistakes with position
- Wrong: posistionRight: position
- Wrong: posisionRight: position
A way to remember it
Position has "sit" inside it: po-sit-ion. Sit in your position.
Position in syllables
po · si · tion
Position has 3 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
Put the chair back in its position.
Position on the statutory list
Position 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 position, then nine more words from the Year 3 and 4 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words with a -tion, -cial or -cient ending
These words from the Year 3 and 4 list share the same pattern as position.
More words
Questions parents ask
How do you spell positioned?
Positioned is position + ed. The n does not double.
Spelling is one part of the picture
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