How to spell thought
A Year 3 and 4 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
thought
T-H-O-U-G-H-T
The part to watch: ough says "or". The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
Thought sounds like "thort", but the "or" sound is spelt ough, as in bought and brought.
Thought 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 thought
- Wrong: thougtRight: thought
- Wrong: thortRight: thought
A way to remember it
I thought I bought it: thought and bought both have ough, then t.
Thought in syllables
thought
Thought has one syllable, so learn it as a whole word.
In a sentence
I thought of a great idea.
Thought on the statutory list
Thought 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 thought, 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 thought.
More words
Questions parents ask
What is the difference between thought and taught?
They rhyme but mean different things. Thought is the past of think. Taught is the past of teach.
Spelling is one part of the picture
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