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Alphabetical Sorting 02
A correct alphabetical sort is strong, stronger, strongest, strongly.

Alphabetical Sorting 02

Alphabetical order keeps lists tidy and searchable. Practise sorting words and names by letters, handling ties, punctuation, and tricky cases confidently.

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Fascinating Fact:

Apostrophes are usually ignored in sorting, so O’Connor is treated like Oconnor and sits near Oliver and Onyx.

In KS3 English, alphabetical sorting helps you file names, titles, and terms so information is easy to find. You compare letters in sequence, apply consistent rules, and resolve ties accurately.

  • Alphabetical order: Arranging words from A to Z by comparing one letter at a time.
  • Tie-break: When openings match, compare the next letter. If one word ends, the shorter comes first.
  • Ignore rule: A guideline to skip punctuation or spaces when sorting, if your teacher or system says so.
How do you alphabetise names with apostrophes?

Most systems ignore apostrophes, so O’Connor is treated as Oconnor. Follow any specific rule your teacher or library provides and apply it consistently.

Do spaces and hyphens affect alphabetical order?

Often, spaces and hyphens are ignored and letters are compared only. If your rule says otherwise, follow it the same way for every item.

What happens if two words start exactly the same?

Compare the next different letter. If one word ends first, the shorter word comes before the longer one, for example art before artist.

1 .
Writ, write, writer, ....... , written
wary
wiry
writing
wry
Only "writing" fits in this sequence
2 .
....... , advanced, advancement, advancing
advance
advantage
advantaged
advantageous
Working backwards gives "advance"
3 .
Adapt, ....... , adaptation, adapted
adaptable
adorable
adoration
adore
"Adaptable" completes the sequence
4 .
Began, begin, ....... , begins
beacon
beacons
beginning
begonia
Look at the sixth letter of "beginning"
5 .
Wash, ....... , washes, washing
washed
wish
wished
wishes
"Washed" fits the sequence
6 .
Create, creative, ....... , creatures
created
creates
creating
creator
Use the fifth letter of "create/creative/creator/creatures"
7 .
Continuance, continue, continued, .......
contain
content
continual
continuing
Look at the eighth letter of "continuing"
8 .
Strong, stronger, strongest, .......
strength
strengthen
strengthening
strongly
"Strength" would come before "strong"
9 .
....... , clearance, cleared, clearly
clear
clears
click
clock
"Clear" begins this sequence
10 .
Close, ....... , closely, closer
closed
closest
closet
closing
The fifth letter is the clue to the alphabetical sequence

 

Author:  Sue Daish (English Teacher, Principal Examiner & Published Author)

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