How to spell shoulder
A Year 5 and 6 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
shoulder
S-H-O-U-L-D-E-R
The part to watch: ou says "oh". The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
Shoulder has ou saying "oh", as in boulder and mould. People often leave out the u.
Shoulder is one of the words on the Year 5 and 6 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.
Common mistakes with shoulder
- Wrong: sholderRight: shoulder
A way to remember it
Shoulder and boulder rhyme and share ould: carry a boulder on your shoulder.
Shoulder in syllables
shoul · der
Shoulder has 2 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
The parrot sat on the pirate's shoulder.
Shoulder on the statutory list
Shoulder 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 shoulder, then nine more words from the Year 5 and 6 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words to learn by heart
Other words on the Year 5 and 6 list to learn by heart.
More words
Questions parents ask
Which other words have ould like shoulder?
Boulder, mould and smoulder also spell the "oh" sound with ou before ld.
Spelling is one part of the picture
The free diagnostic checks maths, English and both kinds of reasoning, and shows what to practise next. No card is required.