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How to spell strength

A Year 3 and 4 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.

The answer

strength

S-T-R-E-N-G-T-H

The part to watch: strong becomes strength, keeping the g. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.

The tricky part

Strength comes from strong, so it keeps the ng. The g melts into the th and is easy to miss.

Strength is one of the words on the Year 3 and 4 list with the letters ngth. Long and strong become length and strength. Keep the g when you add th, even though it is easy to miss.

Common mistakes with strength

  • Wrong: strenthRight: strength
  • Wrong: strenghtRight: strength

A way to remember it

Strength is how strong you are. It keeps the ng of strong: stren, g, th.

Strength in syllables

strength

Strength has one syllable, so learn it as a whole word.

In a sentence

Lifting the box took all my strength.

Strength on the statutory list

Strength 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.

See all the Year 3 and 4 words

Test yourself

A short spelling test that starts with strength, then nine more words from the Year 3 and 4 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.

More words with the letters ngth

These words from the Year 3 and 4 list share the same pattern as strength.

More words

Questions parents ask

How do you spell strengthen?

Strengthen is strength + en, keeping the g.

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.