How to spell separate
A Year 3 and 4 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
separate
S-E-P-A-R-A-T-E
The part to watch: par in the middle (sep-a-rate). The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
The vowel after the p is an a, but it sounds like "uh", so people write "seperate". This is one of the most misspelt words in English.
Separate is one of the words on the Year 3 and 4 list with a letter you hardly hear. When we speak quickly, a letter or a whole beat gets swallowed. Say the word slowly, the way it is spelt, so every letter has a sound.
Common mistakes with separate
- Wrong: seperateRight: separate
- Wrong: seprateRight: separate
A way to remember it
There is "a rat" in separate: sep + a + rat + e.
Separate in syllables
sep · a · rate
Separate has 3 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
Keep the paints in separate pots.
Separate on the statutory list
Separate 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 separate, then nine more words from the Year 3 and 4 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words with a letter you hardly hear
These words from the Year 3 and 4 list share the same pattern as separate.
More words
Questions parents ask
Do separately and separation keep the a?
Yes. Separately, separated and separation all keep "par" after the sep.
Spelling is one part of the picture
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