Spelling Words for Class 4

What are Spelling Words?

Spelling refers to arranging letters in the correct order to make words. It accurately represents word sounds by utilising the proper letter combinations and adhering to grammatical standards. Correct spelling helps us communicate effectively in writing and ensures that others understand our words.

Examples of spelling words: antelope, casual, lapel, orchard, residence, voyage, splutter, swirl and many more.

What are phonetics?

Phonetics refers to the study of speech and sounds and how they are produced, transmitted and received.

Phonetics Rules

1. Vowel Sounds: Vowel sounds are the open, melodious sounds produced by the vibration of the vocal cords without any obstruction in the airflow. In English, there are five main vowel sounds: a, e, i, o, and u. 

For example, in the word "cake," the vowel sound is 'a,' and in the word "see," the vowel sound is 'ee.' These sounds are important building blocks for words and help convey meaning in spoken language.

2. Consonant Sounds: Consonant sounds in phonetics refer to the speech sounds produced by obstructing or restricting the airflow in the vocal tract. Unlike vowels, which are produced with an open vocal tract, consonants involve some degree of constriction or closure.

Before that, we should know some basic rules of sound changes: 

a) Voicing and Devoicing: When a voiced sound is at the end of a word, it may become voiceless. For example, the 'b' in "cab" might sound like 'p' in "cap."

b) Final Consonant Deletion: Sometimes, the final consonant in a word is not pronounced. For example, the 'd' in "bed" might not be pronounced.

c) Assimilation: Consonants may change their sound to be more like nearby sounds. For instance, the 'g' in "dog" might sound more like the 'd' in "doghouse."

d) Nasalization: Consonants can become nasal when they are next to a nasal sound. For example, the 'n' in "sand" might affect the 'd' to sound more like 'n.'

e) Flapping: The 't' and 'd' sounds can sometimes change between a hard sound and a softer, flapped sound. For example, the 't' in "water" might sound more like 'd.'

Examples: 

→ The letter "s" can sound like "ss" in snake or like "z" in rose.
→ The letter "g" can sound like "g" in go or like "j" in giant.
→ The letter "h" can sound like "h" in a hat or like nothing in a ghost.
→ The letter "f" can sound like "f" in fish or like "ph" in phone.
→ The letter "b" can sound like "b" in bat or like "bb" in rabbit.
→ The letter "d" can sound like "d" in a dog or like "ed" in faded.
→ The letter "m" can sound like "m" in monkey or like "mb" in thumb.
→ The letter "p" can sound like "p" in pen or like "pp" in happy.
→ The letter "n" can sound like "n" in a nest or like "ng" in sing.
→ The letter "l" can sound like "l" in lion or like "ll" in bell.

3. Silent Letters: Silent letters refer to letters that are not pronounced when the word is spoken. They are present in the spelling of the word but do not contribute to the sound of the word.

Examples: 

→ Knife: The 'k' in knife is silent. So, when you say "knife," you don't pronounce the 'k.'
→ Debt: The 'b' in debt is silent. When you say "debt," you don't say the 'b' sound.
→ Write: The 'w' in write is silent. So, when you say "write," you don't pronounce the 'w.'
→ Hour: The 'h' in an hour is silent. When you say "hour," you don't pronounce the 'h.'
→ Island: The 's' in the island is silent. So, when you say "island," you don't pronounce the 's.'

NOTE: We have silent letters because in English many words have been borrowed from other languages and their spelling has been retained even if the pronunciation has changed over time. Silent letters often reflect the word's origin.

4. Double Consonants: Double consonants refer to the occurrence of a consonant sound being pronounced for an extended duration or with a greater emphasis. This emphasis is represented by writing the consonant twice.

Examples:

→ better: The double "t" in "better" represents a double consonant. When pronouncing it, you make a slightly longer pause between the two "t" sounds.
→ adder: The double "d" in "adder" is another example. Again, you make a distinct pause between the two "d" sounds.
→ happen: The double "p" in "happen" is a double consonant. You can notice a brief pause between the two "p" sounds.
→ coffee: In the word "coffee," the double "f" represents a double consonant. You elongate the time between the two "f" sounds.
→ lesson: The double "s" in "lesson" is a double consonant. When pronouncing it, you create a short pause between the two "s" sounds.

5. Blends and Digraphs: These are combinations of letters that represent specific sounds. 

Blends: It occurs when two or more consonants appear together in a word and each consonant retains its sound. The sounds are "blended" together without creating a new sound. 

Examples:

→ bl in "blend"
→ gr in "green"
→ fl in "flag"
→ br in "brown"

Digraphs: These are pairs of letters that represent a single sound, which may be different from the sounds of the individual letters. 

Examples: 

→ ch in "chat" or "chip"
→ sh in "ship" or "shoe"
→ th in "think" or "bath"
→ ph in "phone" or "photo"
→ wh in "whale" or "whisk"

6. Syllables: A syllable is a unit of sound in a word that contains a vowel sound. Every word can be broken down into syllables and these syllables help to pronounce words correctly.

Examples: 

→ happy: This word has two syllables. You can hear the two beats: "hap-py."
→ butterfly: This word has three syllables. You can count the three beats: "but-ter-fly."
→ elephant: This word has three syllables. You can identify the three beats: "el-e-phant."

Learn About: Spellings Words for Class 5

List of Spelling Words

FAQs

1. How can students improve their academic performance by learning spelling?

Answer: By learning correct spelling structure, students improve their writing abilities, which enhances their overall academic success. Also, it aids in the coherence and clarity of their assignments.

2. Why is phonetics important?

Answer: Phonetics is important because it helps to understand and improve pronunciation, communication skills and language development.

3. How do you determine syllables in a word?

Answer: Syllables are determined by counting the number of vowel sounds in a word. Each vowel sound or vowel cluster typically represents a syllable.