Common English Spelling Patterns to Spot in Puzzles

• K in KNIFE, KNEE
• W in WRITE, WRONG
• B in LAMB, THUMB
• GH in NIGHT, LIGHT
• H in HONEST, HOUR

When you search for these words, remember to look for the silent letter.

Double letters

• LL: BELL, FALL
• SS: GRASS, LESSON
• TT: BUTTER, LITTLE
• EE and OO: also doubled vowels

Magic E

A final E often changes the vowel before it:

• CAP becomes CAPE
• KIT becomes KITE
• HOP becomes HOPE

"I before E"

The rhyme "I before E, except after C" is a rule of thumb with many exceptions, such as WEIRD and SCIENCE.

Using the patterns

• Look for pairs rather than single letters.
• Watch out for silent letters when you search for a word.
• Use double letters as anchors.

Learn by noticing

As you play, you will absorb these patterns without trying.

Tips

1. Look for letter groups.
2. Remember silent letters.
3. Enjoy the quirks of English.

Relax with an endless word search in Crossword - Word Search Game →