How to spell though
A Year 3 and 4 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
though
T-H-O-U-G-H
The part to watch: ough says "oh". The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
Though rhymes with go, but the "oh" sound is spelt ough. Do not mix it up with thought or through.
Though is one of the words on the Year 3 and 4 list with the letters ough or augh. The letters ough make at least five different sounds, and augh often says "or". Learn these words by sight, as a family.
Common mistakes with though
- Wrong: thoRight: though
- Wrong: thoghRight: though
A way to remember it
Though, although and dough all say "oh" with ough.
Though in syllables
though
Though has one syllable, so learn it as a whole word.
In a sentence
The dog barked, though nobody was there.
Though on the statutory list
Though is on the Year 3 and 4 statutory word list in the national curriculum for England, printed there as though/although. Children are taught these words in Years 3 and 4, when they are 7 to 9.
From the same entry
Test yourself
A short spelling test that starts with though, then nine more words from the Year 3 and 4 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words with the letters ough or augh
These words from the Year 3 and 4 list share the same pattern as though.
More words
Questions parents ask
What is the difference between though, thought and through?
Though means "but" or "even if" and rhymes with go. Thought is the past of think and rhymes with sort. Through means in one side and out of the other, and rhymes with blue.
Spelling is one part of the picture
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