Word study: accommodate to apparent

1 · Learn

Practise a small number of words over several days. First explain the meaning, then inspect the spelling. Look for a familiar root, a changed ending or letters that are hard to hear. Cover the model, write from memory and check. Use the word in your own writing so it is more than a memorised list.

accommodate: to provide enough room for. Accommodate has double c and double m. Read: 'The new shelf can accommodate all our folders.'

accompany: to go somewhere with someone. Accompany has double c but one m; compare it carefully with accommodate. Read: 'An adult will accompany the group to the museum.'

according: as stated by, when followed by to. According has double c and ends ing; it is followed by to in this meaning. Read: 'According to the timetable, the next train leaves at noon.'

achieve: to succeed in doing something. Achieve contains ie after ch and keeps final e. Read: 'Careful revision helped the team achieve its goal.'

aggressive: behaving in a forceful or threatening way. Aggressive has double g and double s. Read: 'The story contrasts an aggressive response with a calm discussion.'

amateur: someone who takes part for enjoyment rather than as a paid profession. Amateur ends teur; remember the order e-u-r. Read: 'The amateur astronomer enjoyed observing the night sky.'

ancient: very old or belonging to a distant past. Ancient has c before i and ends ent. Read: 'The exhibition included an ancient pottery fragment.'

apparent: seeming clear or obvious. Apparent has double p and ends ent, not ant. Read: 'The reason became apparent when we compared the two maps.'

2 · Worked example

To learn accommodate, I connect its meaning, to provide enough room for, with this spelling detail: Accommodate has double c and double m. I write it from memory, compare it and identify exactly which letters need attention. I then use it in a new sentence and check whether the meaning fits.

3 · Your turn

Without looking, write the studied word meaning 'to go somewhere with someone'. Check it against the model. Write your own sentence using accompany and explain the spelling feature you needed to remember.

4 · Apply your learning

Choose two words for a personal practice list. Ask a partner or adult to dictate one supplied sentence after you have discussed its meaning. Proofread the result, then try a new sentence of your own. Revisit the words after a delay and note whether you can use them accurately without the model.