← All Techniques Verbal Reasoning

Insert a Letter

Add one letter to make a new word.

1

What is Insert a Letter?

Insert a letter questions give you a word and ask you to add a single letter somewhere in the word to create a new, different word. The new word must match a given clue.

For example, adding “W” to “SING” gives “SWING”. These questions test your spelling skills and vocabulary, and reward children who are willing to try different letters systematically.

2

Step-by-Step Method

1

Read the original word and the clue

Make sure you understand the starting word and what the new word should mean.

2

Try the beginning

Test adding different letters before the first letter. Does any combination make a word that matches the clue?

3

Try each gap

Move through the word, trying letters between each pair of existing letters.

4

Try the end

Test adding letters after the last letter. Check each result against the clue.

3

Worked Examples

Example 1

Add a letter to SING to make a word meaning “to move back and forth”.

Working

  1. Clue: move back and forth
  2. Try beginning: ASING, BSING… SWING!
  3. SWING means to move back and forth – matches the clue.
Answer: SWING (insert W before S)
Example 2

Add a letter to PLAN to make a word meaning “a flat area of land”.

Working

  1. Clue: flat area of land = PLAIN or PLANE
  2. PLAN + I between A and N = PLAIN
  3. PLAIN means a flat area of land – matches.
Answer: PLAIN (insert I between A and N)
Example 3

Add a letter to HEAT to make a word meaning “a cereal crop”.

Working

  1. Clue: cereal crop = WHEAT
  2. Try beginning: W + HEAT = WHEAT
  3. WHEAT is a cereal crop – matches.
Answer: WHEAT (insert W at the beginning)
4

Common Mistakes

Common error

Only trying to add a letter at the beginning or end, forgetting about the middle positions.

Correct approach

The letter can go anywhere – beginning, middle, or end. Try all positions systematically.

Common error

Changing existing letters instead of only adding one new letter.

Correct approach

All the original letters must stay in the same order. You are only adding one extra letter.

5

Top Tips

  • Work systematically through each position from left to right.
  • Use the clue to narrow down which letters to try. If the clue suggests the answer starts with a certain sound, try that letter first.
  • Say the combinations aloud – your ear might recognise a word before your eyes do.
  • Common inserted letters are vowels (A, E, I, O, U) and common consonants (R, S, T, N, L).

Ready to practise?

Put these techniques into action with our free practice papers.

Practise Verbal Reasoning Questions

Other Verbal Reasoning Techniques

Move a Letter

Transfer a letter between words to make new ones.

Make a Word

Build words from letters taken from other words.

Anagrams

Rearrange all letters to form a new word.
Scroll to Top