When to Use -ck and When to Use -k
Learn when words end in -ck and when they end in -k, like duck, sock, milk and book. A fun spelling lesson for ages 5-7 with word-building games.
Key takeaways
- Use -ck right after a short single vowel: duck, sock, kick
- Use -k after a long vowel, a vowel team, or a consonant: book, milk
- Both -ck and -k make the same /k/ sound
Two ways to spell the /k/ sound
Both -ck and -k make the same sound at the end of a word: /k/. But which one do you use? There is a clever rule! 🕵️
Listen to the vowel just before the sound.
- duck 🦆 (short u → -ck)
- milk 🥛 (after a consonant → -k)
Use -ck after a short vowel
When the word has one short vowel right before the /k/ sound, use -ck.
- duck 🦆
- sock 🧦
- kick 👟
- back 🎒
- rock 🪨
Say them slowly. Each has a short, snappy vowel, then -ck.
Use -k after a vowel team or a consonant
When the /k/ comes after a long vowel, a vowel team, or another consonant, use just -k.
- book 📖 (vowel team oo)
- look 👀 (vowel team oo)
- milk 🥛 (after l)
- park 🌳 (after r)
- bank 🏦 (after n)
A word list to read
| Word | Ending | Why |
|---|---|---|
| duck 🦆 | -ck | short vowel |
| sock 🧦 | -ck | short vowel |
| book 📖 | -k | vowel team |
| milk 🥛 | -k | after a consonant |
| park 🌳 | -k | after a consonant |
How to choose
- Is there one short vowel right before the /k/? → use -ck (duck).
- Is there a long vowel, vowel team, or consonant before it? → use -k (book, milk).
Well done!
Now you can choose between -ck and -k like a spelling star. Listen to the vowel and decide!
Next, try The ck and ng Sounds and Long Vowel Sounds.
Quick quiz
Test yourself and earn XP
Which spelling is right for the bird that says quack?
After a short vowel, we use -ck: duck. 🦆
Which word ends in -k (not -ck)?
After the consonant l, we use just -k: milk. 🥛
When do we use -ck?
We use -ck right after a short single vowel, like in sock and duck. 🧦
Play & learn
Build the word +10 XP
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Match the picture to the word +10 XP
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FAQ
Use -ck right after a short single vowel sound, as in duck, sock, kick and back.
Use -k after a long vowel or vowel team (book, look) or after another consonant (milk, park, bank).
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