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Spelling
Complex and
Unfamiliar words
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Complex and unfamiliar words
hate spelling!
always get
words confused with
each other.
find long words
particularly tricky.
Do you agree with these students? This
presentation will give you some tips on coping
with complex and unfamiliar words.
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Do these words ever puzzle you?
affect or
effect?
accept or
except?
practice or
practise?
principal or
principle?
choose
or chose?
quite
or quiet?
Homophones
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Many commonly confused words are homophones
words which sound the same but which are spelt
differently. Some words are confused because, whilst not
exactly the same, they sound or look very similar.
Read through the foIIowing exampIes, then test
yourseIf with the quiz that foIIows.
Knowing the reason behind the difference may help you
remember the word. Sometimes you may have to think
up a little 'trick' or way of remembering the word like
sounding it out.
Homophones
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accept A verb meaning to receive.
accept your apology.
except A word meaning 'not including'.
Everyone was invited except Mona.
affect A verb meaning to influence or change
something.
Alcohol can affect your health.
effect A noun meaning a result.
The effect of the fire was disastrous.
(Effect can also be a verb meaning to bring
about: He effected the result with ease.)
Homophones
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principal This means first, leading or leader.
He was the PrincipaI of the college.
principle This means a basic truth or law.
t was the principIe of the matter.
practice A noun.
She went to netball practice.
practise A verb.
He needs to practise penalty kicks.
Homophones
chose (Rhymes with goes) Past tense.
She chose to leave early.
choose (Rhymes with shoes) Present tense and
infinitive. You are free to choose.
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weather sunshine, rain, etc.
The weather is hot.
whether if
don't know whether it's right.
Homophones
quite Means fairly or completely.
He was quite angry.
quiet silent, silence.
t was quiet in the library.
lose (Rhymes with whose) Means to not win.
He didn't want to Iose the race.
loose (Rhymes with goose) Means to free or untie.
She let the horse Ioose.
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Homophones
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Complex words
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Complex words
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Complex words
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Roots of words
Knowing about the roots of words, particularly those with
Latin and Greek roots, can help you get to grips with
unfamiliar words.
anti (against) + dote (given) = antidote
abs (from, away) + tain (keep) = abstain
contra (against) + dict (say) = contradict
pro (onwards) + pell (drive) = propeller
Can you find examples of these roots in other words?
How do the roots of these words help us to understand the
meanings? (Check in a dictionary.)
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To sum up
Look out for some of the letter patterns we have
identified.
Look for and study words that catch you out.
You may find looking at the roots of words helpful.
Or you may just need to learn the words.
Remember to record new words in your spelling journal.