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'Try' and 'tricycle' make the same sound.

Spelling: y and i

Some words use y instead of i to keep spelling simple. This KS2 English quiz helps pupils understand when to use y and when to use i.

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Fascinating Fact:

The letter “y” is often used when “i” would make the word look confusing, like “gym” instead of “gim.”

In KS2 English, pupils learn how the letters y and i are used to create different sounds and endings in words. The letter y often appears in short words to replace i, especially when i would make another letter sound strange or awkward. Knowing when to use each one helps improve spelling and word recognition.

Key Terms

Vowel: A letter that represents an open sound, such as a, e, i, o, u, and sometimes y.
Suffix: A group of letters added to the end of a word to change its meaning or form.
Consonant: A letter that is not a vowel and usually involves blocking air when spoken, such as b or k.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

Why does y sometimes act like a vowel?

The letter y can make the same sound as i, especially at the end of short words like cry or try. It replaces i to make spelling look clearer.

When should I use y instead of i in spelling?

Use y when a word ends with the long i sound, such as fly or sky. When adding a suffix, y often changes to i, like happy becoming happier.

Is there a rule to help remember y and i spelling?

Yes. If a word ends in y after a consonant, change y to i before adding endings like er or est, for example, happy to happiest.

Try These Related Quizzes

To see a larger image, click on the picture.

1 .

The ____ were forced to walk ____ long ____ to cross the desert.

survyvors, thyrty, miles

survyvors, thirty, myles

survivors, thirty, miles

survivors, thirty, myles

The survivors were forced to walk thirty long miles to cross the desert.

2 .

Choose the correct words to complete the sentence.
It was a ____ day and he found himself ____ from one appointment to another.

busi, hurrying

busi, hurring

busy, hurrying

busy, hurring

It was a busy day and he found himself hurrying from one appointment to another.

3 .

Choose the correct words to complete the sentence.
In their first lesson, the instructor showed them how to ____ the ____.

hoist, sayle

hoist, sail

hoyst, sayle

hoyst, sail

In their first lesson, the instructor showed them how to hoist the sail.

4 .

Choose the correct words to complete the sentence.
There are many ____ recipes for ____.

delycious, stir-fri

delycious, stir-fry

delicious, stir-fri

delicious, stir-fry

There are many delicious recipes for stir-fry.

5 .

Choose the correct words to complete the sentence.
He had a ____ look in his ____.

misterious, i

misterious, eye

mysterious, i

mysterious, eye

He had a mysterious look in his eye.

6 .

Choose the correct words to complete the sentence.
She filled in several ____ for local ____.

applications, businesses

applications, busynesses

applycations, businesses

applycations, busynesses

She filled in several applications for local businesses. Both 'apply' and 'busy' change the 'y' to an 'i' before adding a suffix.

7 .

Choose the correct words to complete the sentence.
Their ____ of food was running low. On the last day of camping, the family of ____ had to share two ____ eggs for breakfast.

supply, five, fryed

supply, five, fried

suppli, fyve, fryed

suppli, five, fryed

Their supply of food was running low. On the last day of camping, the family of five had to share two fried eggs for breakfast.

8 .

Choose the correct words to complete the sentence.
The day was so ____ that no one even felt ____ that the food arrived late.

joyful, disappointed

joyful, disappoynted

joiful, disappointed

joiful, disappoynted

The day was so joyful that no one even felt disappointed that the food arrived late.

9 .

Choose the correct words to complete the sentence.
Parsley, sage, ____ and ____ are very useful herbs.

rosemary, thime

rosemary, thyme

rosemari, thime

rosemari, thyme

Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme are very useful herbs.

10 .

Choose the correct words to complete the sentence.
My Mum ____ to ____ for a new job.

decyded, apply

decyded, applie

decided, apply

decided, applie

My Mum decided to apply for a new job.

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - When is the 'i' sound spelt with a 'y'?

Author: Sheri Smith (PhD English Literature, English Teacher & Quiz Writer)

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