How to spell straight
A Year 3 and 4 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
straight
S-T-R-A-I-G-H-T
The part to watch: aigh says "ay", with a silent gh. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
Straight sounds like "strate". The "ay" sound is spelt aigh, with a silent g and h.
Straight is one of the words on the Year 3 and 4 list with a silent letter. These words have a letter you write but do not say. Many were said long ago and the spelling kept them.
Common mistakes with straight
- Wrong: straigtRight: straight
- Wrong: streightRight: straight
A way to remember it
Straight has "aight", like "eight" with an a instead of an e.
Straight in syllables
straight
Straight has one syllable, so learn it as a whole word.
In a sentence
Draw a straight line with a ruler.
Straight on the statutory list
Straight 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 straight, then nine more words from the Year 3 and 4 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words with a silent letter
These words from the Year 3 and 4 list share the same pattern as straight.
More words
Questions parents ask
What is the difference between straight and strait?
Straight means not bent, as in a straight line. A strait is a narrow stretch of sea between two pieces of land. They sound the same.
Spelling is one part of the picture
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