Sounds and Spelling: oi and oy

1Don't destroy the soil!

Say these two words: soil and destroy. Listen to the sound in the middle of soil and at the end of destroy. It is the same sound, like when you are surprised: “oy!”

But look: soil uses oi, and destroy uses oy. Today you will learn when to use each spelling.

2The oi sound

3The rule

• oi comes at the start or in the middle of a word: oil, soil, poison.
• oy comes at the end of a word: boy, destroy, enjoy.

Does this remind you of ai and ay (rain, day)? It is the same idea: English words don't like to end in i, so at the end, i changes to y.

When we add an ending, oy stays: enjoy → enjoyed, enjoying; destroy → destroyed.

4Chant: Save the soil

Don't destroy the soil, don't burn the oil,
Avoid the noise and the smoke, and let the water boil.
Every girl and every boy, join in, plant a tree,
And enjoy a green Rwanda, for you and for me!

Find the oi and oy words: destroy, soil, oil, avoid, noise, boil, boy, join, enjoy.

Your turn: speak and write

Speak: Say the chant with a friend. Point up for every oi word and point down for every oy word.

Write two lists, oi words and oy words. Then write two sentences about protecting the environment, using one word from each list. Example: We should not destroy the forest. Trees protect the soil.

Try it yourself

Write your answers in your exercise book, then check.