Wh- and w- words cause confusion in English when it comes to their spelling. Here's a useful tip: if it's a question word beginning with 'w-', then it's spelt with 'wh-'. For example: 'what?', 'where?'.
The trouble is that for words beginning with wh, the h isn't pronounced. Where and wear sound exactly the same. Not only do some people get the spelling wrong - they also get the word completely wrong. It's fairly common to see whether and weather mixed up! Here's a little phrase to help you remember what both mean.
- Weather the storm; whether you want to or not.
As you can see, the two words are in alphabetical order ~ weather before whether. If you memorise this little phrase, it might help if you are unsure. Try this 11-plus quiz and see how well you do with 'wh-' and 'w-' spelling. By the way: question words are followed by a '?' and the meanings of the other words are given in the brackets.
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Spelling Task
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1.
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Which one of the following words has been spelt wrongly? |
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when? |
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why? |
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whitch (somebody with magic powers) |
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what? |
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2.
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Which one of the following words has been spelt wrongly? |
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whiskey (an alcoholic drink) |
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whack (to hit with a loud sharp blow) |
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weat (grass with edible grain) |
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werewolf (somebody who can change into a wolf) |
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3.
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Which one of the following words has been spelt wrongly? |
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whose? |
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weel (a rotating round part) |
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who? |
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whom? |
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4.
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Which one of the following words has been spelt wrongly? |
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warf (a docking place for ships) |
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whetstone (a stone used for sharpening tools and weapons) |
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weather (the condition of the atmosphere) |
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whist (a card game) |
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5.
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Which one of the following words has been spelt wrongly? |
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wasp (an insect) |
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warp (to get twisted) |
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whiff (slight or brief smell) |
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wheak (not strong or fit) |
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6.
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Which one of the following words has been spelt wrongly? |
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whisper (to speak very quietly) |
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wish (desire) |
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were (past tense of verb 'be') |
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whealth (a great amount of money) |
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7.
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Which one of the following words has been spelt wrongly? |
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| [ ] |
which? |
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why? |
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when? |
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wayer? |
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8.
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Which one of the following words has been spelt wrongly? |
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| [ ] |
when? |
| [ ] |
where? |
| [ ] |
which? |
| [ ] |
whoose? |
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9.
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Which one of the following words has been spelt wrongly? |
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| [ ] |
whim (a sudden thought or idea) |
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wale (a big marine mammal) |
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whine (to make a high-pitched sorrowful sound) |
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wine (an alcoholic drink made from grapes) |
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10.
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Which one of the following words has been spelt wrongly? |
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| [ ] |
whip (to lash somebody or something) |
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welk (a marine mollusc: a sea creature) |
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wear (to clothe) |
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weave (to make cloth) |
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1.
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Which one of the following words has been spelt wrongly? |
|
| [ ] |
when? |
| [ ] |
why? |
| [x] |
whitch (somebody with magic powers) |
| [ ] |
what? |
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2.
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Which one of the following words has been spelt wrongly? |
|
| [ ] |
whiskey (an alcoholic drink) |
| [ ] |
whack (to hit with a loud sharp blow) |
| [x] |
weat (grass with edible grain) |
| [ ] |
werewolf (somebody who can change into a wolf) |
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3.
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Which one of the following words has been spelt wrongly? |
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| [ ] |
whose? |
| [x] |
weel (a rotating round part) |
| [ ] |
who? |
| [ ] |
whom? |
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4.
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Which one of the following words has been spelt wrongly? |
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| [x] |
warf (a docking place for ships) |
| [ ] |
whetstone (a stone used for sharpening tools and weapons) |
| [ ] |
weather (the condition of the atmosphere) |
| [ ] |
whist (a card game) |
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5.
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Which one of the following words has been spelt wrongly? |
|
| [ ] |
wasp (an insect) |
| [ ] |
warp (to get twisted) |
| [ ] |
whiff (slight or brief smell) |
| [x] |
wheak (not strong or fit) |
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6.
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Which one of the following words has been spelt wrongly? |
|
| [ ] |
whisper (to speak very quietly) |
| [ ] |
wish (desire) |
| [ ] |
were (past tense of verb 'be') |
| [x] |
whealth (a great amount of money) |
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7.
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Which one of the following words has been spelt wrongly? |
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| [ ] |
which? |
| [ ] |
why? |
| [ ] |
when? |
| [x] |
wayer? |
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8.
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Which one of the following words has been spelt wrongly? |
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| [ ] |
when? |
| [ ] |
where? |
| [ ] |
which? |
| [x] |
whoose? |
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9.
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Which one of the following words has been spelt wrongly? |
|
| [ ] |
whim (a sudden thought or idea) |
| [x] |
wale (a big marine mammal) |
| [ ] |
whine (to make a high-pitched sorrowful sound) |
| [ ] |
wine (an alcoholic drink made from grapes) |
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|
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10.
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Which one of the following words has been spelt wrongly? |
|
| [ ] |
whip (to lash somebody or something) |
| [x] |
welk (a marine mollusc: a sea creature) |
| [ ] |
wear (to clothe) |
| [ ] |
weave (to make cloth) |
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