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Spelling

Complex and Unfamiliar words

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Complex and unfamiliar words

I hate spelling!

I always get words confused with

each other.

I 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 orpractise?

principal orprinciple?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 following examples, then test yourself with the quiz that follows.

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.

I 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 Principal of the college.

principle This means a basic truth or law.

It was the principle 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

I don’t know whether it’s right.

Homophones

quite Means fairly or completely.

He was quite angry.

quiet silent, silence.

It was quiet in the library.

lose (Rhymes with whose) Means to not win.He didn’t want to lose the race.

loose (Rhymes with goose) Means to free or untie.

She let the horse loose.

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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) = antidoteabs (from, away) + tain (keep) = abstaincontra (against) + dict (say) = contradictpro (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.