Why is "challenge" spelled this way?

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

challenge

chal•lenge

Step 1: Syllable Breakdown

chalAll first soundsEach letter makes their first sound.

lengeRule: Schwa sound in unstressed syllables, G is soft (j sound) before E, I, Y; hard (g sound) elsewhere, Silent E makes C soft and G softSpelling rules applied: Schwa sound in unstressed syllables, G is soft (j sound) before E, I, Y; hard (g sound) elsewhere, Silent E makes C soft and G soft

Step 2: Words Spelt From challenge

Step 3: Putting It All Together

challenge- A difficult task or problem that tests someone's abilities.

Spelling Notes

Break this word into syllables: 'chal-lenge'. The 'g' softens to a 'j' sound because it comes before an 'e', as per Rule 3. The 'a' in the first syllable is short. The word's structure follows the pattern of short vowel + consonant + consonant, which is why we see the double 'l'.

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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