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Spelling:  y and i
'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.

  • 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.
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.

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1 .
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.
2 .
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.
3 .
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.
4 .
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.
5 .
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.
6 .
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.
7 .
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.
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.
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.
10 .
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.
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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