How to spell pressure
A Year 3 and 4 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
pressure
P-R-E-S-S-U-R-E
The part to watch: press + ure. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
Pressure is press + ure. The double s says "sh" here, and the end is spelt ure.
Pressure is one of the words on the Year 3 and 4 list with a double letter. A consonant is doubled somewhere in the word, and that is the part that goes wrong. Say the word slowly and count the doubles before you write it.
Common mistakes with pressure
- Wrong: presureRight: pressure
- Wrong: preshureRight: pressure
A way to remember it
When you press, you put pressure on something: press + ure.
Pressure in syllables
pres · sure
Pressure has 2 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
Check the pressure in the bike tyres.
Pressure on the statutory list
Pressure 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 pressure, then nine more words from the Year 3 and 4 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words with a double letter
These words from the Year 3 and 4 list share the same pattern as pressure.
More words
Questions parents ask
How do you spell pressurise?
Drop the e of pressure and add -ise: pressurise. British English uses the -ise ending.
Spelling is one part of the picture
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