Common Exception Words

Practise spelling tricky words that don't follow the usual rules.

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Try each question. If you're stuck, leave it and come back. The answer key is on the last page.

1
Which spelling of this word is correct? A) becuase B) because C) becouse D) becuse
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2
Complete the sentence: She ___ hello to her friend. She ___ hello to her friend.
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3
True or false: The word 'different' has three syllables. The word 'different' has three syllables: dif-fer-ent. A) True B) False
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4
Which of these words is spelled correctly? A) thort B) thout C) thought D) thawt
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5
Complete the sentence: We walked ___ the tunnel to get to the other side. We walked ___ the tunnel to get to the other side.
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6
True or false: 'Altho' is the correct way to shorten 'although'. 'Altho' is the correct shortened spelling of 'although'. A) True B) False
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7
Which sentence uses 'different' correctly? A) The two cats look very differant. B) The two cats look very different. C) The two cats look very diffrent. D) The two cats look very diferent.
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8
True or false: The words 'through', 'thought', and 'although' all have the 'ough' pattern but sound different. The words 'through', 'thought', and 'although' all contain 'ough' but each one sounds different. A) True B) False
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9
Which group of words are ALL spelled correctly? A) said, because, diffrent, thought B) said, because, different, thought C) sed, because, different, thought D) said, becuase, different, thought
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10
Which is the correct spelling? A) importent B) important C) importunt D) impertant
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Answer key

Common Exception Words · for parents and teachers

1
because
'Because' is spelled b-e-c-a-u-s-e. The 'au' in the middle is the tricky part.
2
said
'Said' is an exception word because the 'ai' makes a short 'e' sound instead of the long 'a' sound.
3
True
'Different' has three syllables: dif-fer-ent. Knowing the syllables helps you spell it correctly.
4
thought
'Thought' has the tricky 'ough' pattern where 'gh' is silent.
5
through
'Through' means going from one end to the other. The 'ough' makes an 'oo' sound here.
6
False
'Although' must always be spelled in full. There is no accepted shortened form.
7
The two cats look very different.
'Different' is spelled d-i-f-f-e-r-e-n-t. Notice the double 'f' and the 'e' before 'nt'.
8
True
'Through' = 'oo' sound, 'thought' = 'or' sound, 'although' = 'oh' sound. The same letters make three different sounds!
9
said, because, different, thought
All four words need their tricky patterns: 'said' (ai=e), 'because' (au), 'different' (ff, ent), 'thought' (ough).
10
important
'Important' ends with '-ant'.