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DD.1 Put these words in alphabetical order

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What does alphabetical order mean?

Alphabetical order is the way we arrange words by following the order of the alphabet, from A to Z. This helps us quickly find words in a dictionary, glossary, or index.

Examples:
  • apple, banana, carrot, dog
  • book, box, boy, branch
  • cat, caterpillar, cattle
Note

Always start with the first letter of each word. If the first letters are the same, look at the second letter, and so on.

How to alphabetize words

To put words in alphabetical order, compare each word one letter at a time until you find a difference. The word with the earlier letter comes first.

Steps:
  • Compare the first letters: frog and fish. Since “f” and “f” are the same, move to the next letter.
  • Compare the second letters: “r” and “i.” Because “i” comes before “r,” fish goes before frog.
Note

If the first two letters are the same, keep comparing until you find the first difference.

Alphabetizing with three or more words

When working with longer lists, place each word in order by comparing them one at a time. Start with the first letter, then move to the second, third, or more if needed.

Example:
  • Words: lamp, lion, leaf, lake
  • Step 1: All words start with “l.”
  • Step 2: Compare the second letters: “a,” “i,” “e,” “a.” Order is lake, lamp, leaf, lion.
Note

Check each word carefully. Even small differences in spelling change the alphabetical order.

Alphabetizing with identical words

If two or more words are spelled the same at the beginning, keep comparing letters until you find the first difference. The shorter word comes first if one is fully spelled out before the other.

Examples:
  • pen and pencilpen comes before pencil.
  • top and topictop comes before topic.
Note

The shorter word always comes first when all the beginning letters match.

Why alphabetical order is important

Alphabetical order helps us find and organize information quickly. It is a key skill when using dictionaries, glossaries, indexes, and other reference materials.

Examples:
  • Looking up a word in a dictionary.
  • Finding a topic in the index of a book.
  • Organizing names on a class list.
Note

Practicing alphabetical order will make you faster at finding and organizing information.