ShortLong A word family
-ate Words
/eษชt/ โ words that share the -ate pattern
The -ate family combines the long-a silent-e pattern with a clear final /t/. Gate, date, late, and rate are common enough to appear in everyday classroom language, which makes this family easy to practise in real sentences.
How the -ate family works
Keep the ending -ate together, then add or change the beginning sound. Read through the whole word from left to right instead of guessing from its first letter.
11 reviewed examples
-ate word list
Begin with the shorter words. Add the second group only after blends and digraphs in those words have been taught.
Start here
After blends or digraphs
A speaker appears only where a reviewed recording is currently available. Every listed spelling has still been checked for the target pattern.
Listening check
Listen and choose the -ate word
Question 1 of 5
Now read the same words aloud and use one in a sentence.
Explore another familyMove into connected text
Read -ate words in sentences
1Kate was late to the gate.
2Skate over to the plate.
3The crate has a date on it.
4Do not hate; just wait by the gate.
5The state has a set rate.
Ask the learner to underline the -ate word, decode it, and then reread the complete sentence naturally.
Spelling and pronunciation
Keep this family accurate
Keep the final e silent. Compare rat and rate: the added e changes the vowel from short /ฤ/ to long /eษช/ without adding an extra syllable.
Five-minute routine
Practise without memorizing the list
Cover the list and reveal one word at a time. Say each sound, blend, then reread the word normally.
Build gate, then exchange its first sound to make another real word from this page.
Read one sentence, dictate one target word, and ask the learner to explain which letters spell the shared ending.
Ready-to-print practice
Print this -ate word lesson
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