Irregular words are words that do not follow the usual rules of phonics or spelling patterns. You cannot always sound them out letter by letter.
When reading irregular words, you often have to remember them by sight because they do not match typical letter-sound rules.
Irregular words appear often in books and everyday reading. Knowing them helps you read fluently and understand text more easily.
Learning these words by sight will help you read faster and with better understanding.
To recognize irregular words, notice the parts of the word that do not follow the usual sound patterns. For example, in the word said, the letters “ai” sound like “e.”
Think about how the word sounds, not just how it looks. This will help you remember irregular words more easily.
Practice irregular words by reading them often, writing them in sentences, and saying them out loud. Repetition will help you remember them.
Flashcards, word walls, and reading stories with irregular words can make practice fun and effective.
Here is a list of irregular words that third grade students often encounter while reading and writing:
Keep a personal list of irregular words you find tricky, and review it often. This will strengthen your reading skills.