How to spell rhythm
A Year 5 and 6 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
rhythm
R-H-Y-T-H-M
The part to watch: rh, y, thm, with no a, e, i, o or u. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
Rhythm has a silent h after the r, and no a, e, i, o or u at all. The y makes the vowel sound.
Rhythm 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 rhythm
- Wrong: rythmRight: rhythm
- Wrong: rhythymRight: rhythm
- Wrong: rythemRight: rhythm
A way to remember it
Rhythm Helps Your Two Hips Move: r, h, y, t, h, m.
Rhythm in syllables
rhy · thm
Rhythm has 2 syllables. Say each one as you write it. Said in two beats, "rith-um". Neither beat has a, e, i, o or u: the y does the vowel's job.
In a sentence
Clap your hands to the rhythm of the song.
Rhythm on the statutory list
Rhythm 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 rhythm, 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 rhythm.
More words
Questions parents ask
How do you spell rhythmic?
Rhythmic is rhythm + ic, keeping the silent h.
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