Why is "brother" spelled this way?

Discover the logic behind this word and learn how understanding spelling patterns can transform your writing confidence.

brother

broth•er

Step 1: Syllable Breakdown

brothRule: O makes schwa before W, TH, M, N, VSpelling rules applied: O makes schwa before W, TH, M, N, V

erAll first soundsEach letter makes their first sound.

Step 2: Words Spelt From brother

brother= A male sibling.

Step 3: Putting It All Together

brother- A male sibling; a boy or man who shares the same parents.

Spelling Notes

Even though we say 'broth-er' with a soft 'uh' sound, when you spell it, remember the 'o' has a clear, distinct sound, like 'b-r-o-th-er.' To help you remember, exaggerate this clear sound aloud as you spell the word; this creates an audible pronunciation for spelling that will stick in your memory. Also, remember Rule 28b: 'O makes short 'u' (schwa) sound before W, TH, M, N, V (mother).'

Breaking words down into their syllables and analyzing why a word is spelled the way it is will drive you to be a better all-around speller, not just learning this single word. This is what strong spellers do subconsciously.

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