How it works
These w sight words are 30 common words that begin with w, from we and will to would and write. The back of each card has a sentence, and a line names the part to watch.
Read the full guide
Question words, then two more sets
The page opens on six question words: what, when, where, which, who and why. Sound out from the w has nine that read letter by letter, such as will, went and wish. Tricky part has fifteen where a letter is silent or a vowel changes, such as was, would and write.
Flip, read, print
The child reads the word; press Show answer to turn the card and read the sentence together. The print links then appear under the card. Twelve cards fill a sheet of Letter or A4, so the question words take one sheet and all 30 take three. The other sets are under Show only.
- Went ends in t and when does not. Say both and ask which one the child hears.
- Were rhymes with her, where rhymes with there. Lay the two cards side by side.
- Want has the a of wash and watch. Went has the e of well.
Questions and answers
What are the w sight words?
Our list has 30. Question words: what, when, where, which, who, why. Words that sound out: we, will, with, went, well, wish, way, while, white. Fifteen have a tricky part: was, were, want, would, work, word, world, water, walk, wash, watch, warm, write, wolf, woods.
Which sight words that start with w are hardest?
Those where a letter does not make its usual sound. The w of write is silent, so is the l of would and walk, and who is the one word here where wh says /h/.
How do I teach what, when, want and went apart?
Sort the four cards by vowel and by last sound. When ends in n, the other three in t. Went has a short e, want has the a of wash, and what rhymes with but.
Do all w sight words start with the same sound?
All but two. Who starts with /h/ and write starts with /r/. The other 28 start with /w/, though some speakers begin the wh words with a breath, /hw/.
Is this a published sight word list?
No. These are the w words our own sight word pages teach, our own pick of common words of English. No published list is copied, so compare them with the list your school uses.