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Phonics - Tri Digraphs
The word night is sounded out like this: n + igh + t.

Phonics - Tri Digraphs

Tri-digraphs are 3-letter teams like dge and tch. Spotting these chunks helps children read, spell and choose the right endings in words such as bridge, match and catch.

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Fascinating Fact:

Tri digraphs such as dge and tch remind us that phonics rules help writers choose the correct spelling, not just guess.

In KS1 English Phonics, children meet tri-digraphs (trigraphs), where three letters work together to make one sound. Endings like dge in bridge or tch in match show how phonics patterns guide accurate reading and spelling.

  • Tri-digraph / Trigraph: Three letters that join to represent one sound, like dge or tch.
  • Grapheme: The written letter or letters that match a spoken sound.
  • Phoneme: The smallest unit of sound in a word, such as /j/ or /ch/.
What is a tri-digraph in KS1 phonics?

A tri-digraph is a grapheme made of three letters that represent one sound, such as dge for /j/ in bridge or tch for /ch/ in match.

How do I teach dge and tch endings to young children?

Use clear examples like bag–badge, rid–ridge and mat–match, highlight the endings, and sort words into dge and tch lists so children spot and remember each pattern.

Why are tri-digraphs important for spelling rules?

Tri-digraphs show that some sounds use special endings. Knowing when to use dge or tch stops children guessing and builds confident, accurate spelling.

1 .
In the word 'hearing', which three letters make one sound?
hea
ear
rin
ing
Although 'ing' is always together, it still makes two sounds. You have the 'i' sound then the 'ng' sound.
2 .
Which of these words has a tri digraph in them?
snail
tear
torn
paper
The sound 'ear' is a three letter sound. This means there are three letters but together they make one sound.
3 .
The sound 'igh' belongs between two of these letters, but which two?
b and t
c and t
f and t
p and t
If you add 'igh' between those two letters, you make the word 'fight'.
4 .
In the word 'picture', which three letters make one sound?
pic
ict
tur
ure
Professional photographers use larger lenses on their cameras to get better quality pictures and are able to zoom in from a really far distance.
5 .
In the word 'square', which three letters make one sound?
squ
qua
are
uar
The way you say this sound is like 'air'.
6 .
In the word 'patchwork', which three letters make one sound?
atch
tch
ork
pat
The sound 'tch' is often at the end of a word, like catch, snatch, patch and hatch.
7 .
Which of these is a tri digraph?
oa
ee
igh
ai
The word 'tri' means three, that's why a triangle has three sides and three corners.
8 .
The sound 'ear' belongs between two of these letters, but which two?
b and d
s and d
t and d
q and d
'Ear' is a sound and a word. If you put that sound between 'b' and 'd', you make the word 'beard'.
9 .
In the word 'explore', which three letters make one sound?
ex
exp
lor
ore
These three letters make the 'or' sound - you don't pronounce the 'e' at the end of the word.
10 .
Which of these sounds is not a tri digraph?
ear
air
igh
aie
The first three are all sounds that exist and will be found in words. The last answer is made up!
You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Phonics digraphs and trigraphs

Author:  Finola Waller (MEd, Primary School Teacher & KS1 English Quiz Writer)

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