How to spell various
A Year 3 and 4 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
various
V-A-R-I-O-U-S
The part to watch: vari + ous. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
Various ends -ous, and there is an i before it that you hear as "ee".
Various is one of the words on the Year 3 and 4 list with the -ous ending. The ending that sounds like "us" at the end of a describing word is spelt -ous. It is never -us or -ouse.
Common mistakes with various
- Wrong: variusRight: various
- Wrong: varyousRight: various
A way to remember it
Various is related to vary and variety. Where vary has a y, various has an i.
Various in syllables
var · i · ous
Various has 3 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
The shop sells various kinds of bread.
Various on the statutory list
Various 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 various, then nine more words from the Year 3 and 4 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words with the -ous ending
These words from the Year 3 and 4 list share the same pattern as various.
More words
Questions parents ask
How do you spell vary and variety?
Vary ends in y. In various and variety, words from the same family, that y becomes i: v-a-r-i.
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