KS3 spelling words beginning at pre - presence and presents

Spelling Quiz - Words beginning with pre... (Questions)

This KS3 English spelling quiz looks at words beginning with pre. Spot patterns, test yourself and sharpen your accuracy before tricky spellings appear in essays and exams.

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Fascinating Fact:

Present, presentation and presence all begin with pres-. Spell them pre-sent, pre-sen-ta-tion, pre-sence, noticing that presence ends with -ence, not -ents.

In KS3 English spelling, you often meet words beginning with pre-, such as predict, prepare and prevent. Learning how prefixes link to root words helps you choose reliable spellings across your reading and writing.

Key Terms

Prefix: A group of letters added to the start of a word, like pre- in predict, which slightly changes the meaning while keeping the main word recognisable.
Root word: The basic word that carries the main meaning, such as view in preview, which can take prefixes and suffixes to create new related words.
Syllable: A beat in a word when you say it aloud, for example pre-view has two syllables, which can help you break up and check longer spellings.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What does the prefix pre- mean in English spelling?

The prefix pre- usually means “before”, as in prepare or prehistory. Knowing this meaning helps you understand new words and makes it easier to remember how they are spelt.

How can I revise KS3 spellings of words beginning with pre?

Make short spelling lists grouped by pattern, such as pre- plus a root word and different endings. Practise with look, say, cover, write, check and then use each word in a sentence.

Why do some pre- words have different endings like -tion or -sion?

English spelling comes from several languages, so endings such as -tion, -sion and -ence follow older patterns. Reading widely and noticing how families of words change helps you learn which ending to choose.

Try These Related Quizzes

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
A strong liking or personal valuation

[ ]	preferrence
[ ]	prefference
[ ]	prefrence
[ ]	preference

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
Letters or syllables added to the beginning of a word to modify its meaning

[ ]	preffix
[ ]	prefix
[ ]	preifix
[ ]	preefix

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
Bias, irrational hostility or antagonism

[ ]	prejadice
[ ]	prejudise
[ ]	prejerdice
[ ]	prejudice

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
The activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose

[ ]	preparation
[ ]	preperation
[ ]	preparetion
[ ]	prepuration

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
A word that is used with a noun or pronoun to link it to the rest of the sentence

[ ]	prepousition
[ ]	prepesition
[ ]	prepposition
[ ]	preposition

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
The activity of formally presenting something (as a prize or reward)

[ ]	presentetion
[ ]	presentation
[ ]	prezentation
[ ]	presintation

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
Mental strain caused by one's own or others' expectations

[ ]	pressiure
[ ]	presure
[ ]	presseure
[ ]	pressure

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
To show or watch something, or part of it, before it is complete

[ ]	preeview
[ ]	preveew
[ ]	preview
[ ]	preaview

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
A religious clergyman who is trained to perform services or sacrifices at a church or temple

[ ]	preest
[ ]	priest
[ ]	preist
[ ]	preast

10.

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
To arrange or list a group of things in order of importance

[ ]	prioritize
[ ]	prioratise
[ ]	prioritise
[ ]	priorotise

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Spelling

Spelling Quiz - Words beginning with pre... (Answers)

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
A strong liking or personal valuation

[ ]	preferrence
[ ]	prefference
[ ]	prefrence
[x]	preference

There are no vowels besides the letter e in this word!

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
Letters or syllables added to the beginning of a word to modify its meaning

[ ]	preffix
[x]	prefix
[ ]	preifix
[ ]	preefix

The word "prefix" includes the prefix, pre-

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
Bias, irrational hostility or antagonism

[ ]	prejadice
[ ]	prejudise
[ ]	prejerdice
[x]	prejudice

Can you see the root of the word related to "judgement"?

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
The activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose

[x]	preparation
[ ]	preperation
[ ]	preparetion
[ ]	prepuration

The words "prepare" and "preparation" are related

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
A word that is used with a noun or pronoun to link it to the rest of the sentence

[ ]	prepousition
[ ]	prepesition
[ ]	prepposition
[x]	preposition

You might think of this word as pre- plus "position"

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
The activity of formally presenting something (as a prize or reward)

[ ]	presentetion
[x]	presentation
[ ]	prezentation
[ ]	presintation

If you can spell "present", you should be fine with "presentation"

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
Mental strain caused by one's own or others' expectations

[ ]	pressiure
[ ]	presure
[ ]	presseure
[x]	pressure

Remember the double s

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
To show or watch something, or part of it, before it is complete

[ ]	preeview
[ ]	preveew
[x]	preview
[ ]	preaview

The prefix, pre-, plus the word "view" make "preview"