If you’ve been teaching phonics for any length of time, you’ll know that not every word plays by the rules. That’s where tricky words come in. These are the words that can’t be sounded out, and children need to recognise them as whole words. In this post, we’re breaking down what tricky words are, how to teach them, and where to find the best resources for Phases 2 to 5.
What are tricky words?
Tricky words are words that can’t be decoded using the phonics knowledge children have at that stage. They often include spelling patterns that haven’t been taught yet, or that don’t follow expected rules. For example, the word the includes th, which is decodable, but the e doesn’t behave in a predictable way.
Tricky words are introduced gradually through the phonics phases:
- Phase 2: I, no, go, to, the, into
- Phase 3: he, she, we, me, be, was, you, they, all, are, my, her
- Phase 4: said, have, like, so, do, some, come, were, there, little, one, when, out, what
- Phase 5: oh, their, people, Mr, Mrs, looked, called, asked, could
Why are tricky words important?
You’ll see these words cropping up in early readers and phonics texts all the time, so it’s essential that children can recognise them quickly and reliably. If they have to stop and think every time they see was or they, it breaks the flow of reading.
Looking for more support with early reading? Take a look at our full range of phonics resources – created to work alongside your phonics scheme and help children build confidence with segmenting, blending, and tricky words.
How to teach tricky words effectively
Tricky words need to be taught differently to decodable words. Because children can’t break them down using phonics, they need a different strategy. Here are some approaches that work well:
- Introduce them in small sets – Stick to 2 or 3 at a time and revisit them often.
- Use flashcards regularly – Quick daily revision helps commit tricky words to memory.
- Say it, trace it, write it – Encourage multi-sensory learning with simple repetition.
- Play games – Tricky word bingo, snap and matching pairs work really well.
- Keep them visible – Word mats and displays help reinforce learning throughout the day.
Resources to support tricky word teaching
At Mrs Mactivity, we’ve got loads of tricky word resources to make this easier for you — and more enjoyable for the children. Our tricky word packs cover Phases 2 to 5 and include:
- Flashcards for each phase
- Tracing and writing worksheets
- Sentence-building tasks
- Matching games and bingo boards
- Printable tricky word mats for quick reference
You can browse them all here: Tricky Words Resources.
Are tricky words the same as high frequency words?
It’s worth noting that not all tricky words are high frequency words, and not all high frequency words are tricky. For example, in is a high frequency word but fully decodable. A tricky word is specifically one that children can’t sound out with their current phonics knowledge.
Why tricky words matter
Tricky words play a big part in early reading success. When children can recognise these words without hesitation, their fluency improves — and that has a knock-on effect on confidence, comprehension, and enjoyment. If you’re teaching phonics, having a bank of tricky word activities ready to go will save you time and help keep things consistent.
If you're working on blending, segmenting, or preparing for the phonics screening check, we've got you covered. Our phonics resources cover every phase from 2 to 5 and include sound button worksheets, tricky word activities, interactive slides, and more.
Everything is created to support schools using a structured SSP approach — including those following Little Wandle — and designed to save you time while helping children make real progress. Whether you're planning a phonics lesson, an intervention, or a quick recap, there’s something for you.
You can explore it all with a free trial.
FAQs
What are tricky words in phonics?
Tricky words are words that cannot be decoded using phonics knowledge alone. They often contain irregular spellings or sounds that children have not yet learned, so they need to be recognised as whole words.
When should tricky words be introduced?
Tricky words are introduced gradually from Phase 2 through to Phase 5. Each phase includes a small set of tricky words that build on phonics learning and appear frequently in early reading books.
Are tricky words the same as high frequency words?
Not always. Some tricky words are high frequency words, but not all high frequency words are tricky. High frequency words appear often in texts, while tricky words are specifically those that can’t be sounded out using current phonics knowledge.
How can I help children remember tricky words?
Use repetition, visual support, flashcards, games, and word mats. Tracing, writing, and daily practice in context are also effective. Consistency is key — little and often works best.
Where can I find tricky word worksheets and flashcards?
You can download printable tricky word activities for Phase 2 to 5 from our Tricky Words Resources category. Everything is included with your free trial.
