How to spell potatoes
A Year 3 and 4 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
potatoes
P-O-T-A-T-O-E-S
The part to watch: one potato, two potatoes (add -es). The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
Potato ends in o, and it takes -es when there is more than one. Never add an apostrophe to make a plural.
Potatoes 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.
This one is different. Potatoes does follow a rule, adding -es after o, but many words ending in o just add s, so learn this one by heart.
Common mistakes with potatoes
- Wrong: potatosRight: potatoes
- Wrong: potato'sRight: potatoes
A way to remember it
Potatoes and tomatoes both have toes: po-ta-TOES.
Potatoes in syllables
po · ta · toes
Potatoes has 3 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
We had mashed potatoes with our dinner.
Potatoes on the statutory list
Potatoes 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 potatoes, 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
Which other words ending in o add -es?
Tomatoes, heroes and echoes also add -es. Many others just add s, such as pianos and photos, so these have to be learnt.
Spelling is one part of the picture
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