The -ill word family

Short vowels come first, then digraphs, blends, silent e, vowel teams and r-controlled vowels.
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Printable list of -ill family words · 1 page

NameDatePhonics-ill family wordsWords in a family share the same ending, or rime. Read the ending, then change the firstsound to make new words.-ill12 wordsbillchilldrillfillgrillhillmillpillskillspillstillwilledulist.com/word-lists/word-families/illFree printables, plus learning programs scholarships can pay for

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The -ill family ends in short i and a double l. It's a perfect way to show the FLOSS rule: in a one-syllable word, f, l, s and z are usually doubled right after a short vowel (hill, puff, kiss, buzz).

This list has bill, fill, hill, mill, pill and will, then chill with ch and drill, grill, skill, spill and still with blends. The double l is one sound, so hill has three sounds and three sound boxes.

Will and still are common words in early books, so this family pays off quickly.

Tips for using it

  • Write hill and ask why it needs two l's. Then point out the FLOSS letters: f, l, s, z.
  • Draw a hill shape and write -ill words climbing up it.

Questions

What words are in the -ill family?

Bill, fill, hill, mill, pill and will, plus chill, drill, grill, skill, spill and still.

Why does hill have two l's?

The FLOSS rule: after a short vowel at the end of a one-syllable word, f, l, s and z are usually doubled.