Skip to content

Study Hub

Study Guides

This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.

Year 4 - English

French-derived spellings: 'gue' (g) and 'que' (k)

Suffixes, etymology and homophones

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils learn spelling and grammar conventions associated with more suffixes like -ic, -ary and -ery. Pupils learn how the spelling of a word can relate to its etymological origin and its meaning. They also complete further investigations of compound words.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to spell /g/ and /k/ sounds using the French derived spellings 'gue' and 'que'.

Key Notes

  • Words that contain the /g/ sound spelt 'gue' often come from the French language.
  • Words that contain the /k/ sound spelt 'que' often come from the French language.
  • How to spell the curriculum words: increase, extreme and surprise.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • definition: a clear and precise explanation of the meaning of a word or term
  • adjective: describes a noun
  • noun: a naming word for a person, place or thing
  • origin: the source or beginning of something like the place, time or history of a word or idea
  • etymology: the study of the origin of words and the ways their meanings have changed over time

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Pupils will be more familiar with 'g' and 'ck' at the end of words so may spell words incorrectly.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.

Words that contain the /g/ sound spelt 'gue' often come from the French language. Words that contain the /k/ sound spelt 'que' often come from the French language.

2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'definition'

a clear and precise explanation of the meaning of a word or term.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Pupils will be more familiar with 'g' and 'ck' at the end of words so may spell words incorrectly. Correction: Talk about the origin of words drawing links between words containing the 'gue' and 'que' spelling.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 4 English guide library.