Word for Wednesday: Friend

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Our Word for Wednesday theme for 2023 is tricky spelling words. This year, after sharing the definition and etymology of each week’s word, we will end every blog post with some tips and tricks to help you spell it.

So far we've looked at the words beginning and believe. This week's word is friend.

A friend is someone you like and know well.

Here is friend used in some example sentences:

  • They had been friends for a long time.
  • We invited just family to our party, no friends.
  • She spoke to her friend on the phone once a month.

The word comes from the Old English ‘freond’, from Proto-Germanic ‘frijōjands’ meaning ‘friend or lover’,  from the PIE ‘priy-ont-‘ meaning ‘loving’.

Friend is a tricky spelling word because it is not spelt how it sounds. You can learn more about irregular common words and common errors in Unit 18.   

A good way to remember this spelling is by noticing that friend ends with the word end. Think to yourself: “I don’t want to end a relationship with a good friend”.

The spelling of friend follows the popular 'i' before 'e' except after 'c' rule.  You can view other ie words in this spelling list and learn more about the i' before 'e' except after 'c'  in Unit 21 of Spellzone.


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18 Jan 2023
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"Thank goodness for Spellzone during this remote learning phase. The site is easy for students to navigate independently and they're really enjoying the activities and spelling games. You get an awful lot for your money with Spellzone. Really reassuring is the very prompt response with helpdesk queries. I've very rarely needed the helpdesk, but when I have, the issue has been addressed and sorted within a very short time."

Sarah Taggart, Oasis Academy Lord's Hill