What are irregular words?
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.
- said
- does
- was
When reading irregular words, you often have to remember them by sight because they do not match typical letter-sound rules.
Why are irregular words important?
Irregular words appear often in books and everyday reading. Knowing them helps you read fluently and understand text more easily.
- the
- of
- have
Learning these words by sight will help you read faster and with better understanding.
How can you recognize irregular words?
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.”
- said → sounds like “sed”
- does → sounds like “duz”
- was → sounds like “wuz”
Think about how the word sounds, not just how it looks. This will help you remember irregular words more easily.
How to practice irregular words
Practice irregular words by reading them often, writing them in sentences, and saying them out loud. Repetition will help you remember them.
- “She said to come inside.”
- “He does his homework every night.”
- “The dog was barking loudly.”
Flashcards, word walls, and reading stories with irregular words can make practice fun and effective.
Common irregular words you should know
Here is a list of irregular words that third grade students often encounter while reading and writing:
- said
- does
- was
- the
- of
- have
Keep a personal list of irregular words you find tricky, and review it often. This will strengthen your reading skills.