Diphthongs OI and OY – Free Online Spelling Practice
Learn and practice words with the diphthongs OI and OY. Both spelling patterns commonly make the same sound, as in coin and boy. Learning where oi and oy usually appear can help children choose the correct spelling.
What are the OI and OY diphthongs?
A diphthong is a vowel sound in which the sound changes or glides as it is pronounced.
The letter combinations oi and oy commonly represent the same sound:
coin
soil
point
boy
toy
enjoy
Although they sound alike, oi and oy are usually used in different positions in words.
When do we use OI and OY?
A useful spelling pattern is:
OI usually appears in the middle of a word or syllable.
Examples:
coin, soil, point, join, boil, voice
OY usually appears at the end of a word or syllable.
Examples:
boy, toy, joy, enjoy, annoy
Recognizing where the sound occurs in a word can help children decide whether to use oi or oy.
Words with OI
Common words with oi include:
coin, soil, point, join, boil, oil, voice, choice
Notice how oi appears inside these words.
As children become familiar with this pattern, they can use it as a clue when spelling new words with the same sound.
Words with OY
Common words with oy include:
boy, toy, joy, enjoy, annoy, cowboy
Here, oy appears at the end of the word or syllable.
Practicing oi and oy together helps children hear that the vowel sound is the same while learning the different spelling positions.
Practice Diphthongs OI and OY
In SpellingCraft’s Listen and Spell exercise, children hear a word and type the correct spelling.
Words with oi and oy are mixed and randomized, so children practice recognizing and applying both spelling patterns rather than learning the words in a fixed order.
Continue learning
After practicing OI and OY, continue with
Diphthongs OU and OW
Vowel Teams AI and AY
Vowel Teams EE and EA
R-Controlled Vowels
or explore more Spelling Rules.
