The sight word "are"
Dolch Primer
"are" is one of the words your child will see on almost every page they read. The goal is instant recognition — no sounding out. Read it, say it, spell it out loud, then use it in a sentence.
are
Use it in a sentence
We are best friends.
Spell it out loud
Four-step routine that works
- Show the word and read it aloud yourself — don't ask them to guess.
- Your child says "are" three times while looking at it.
- Spell it out loud: a–r–e.
- Read the sentence together, then hide the word and have them write it.
Common questions
Is "are" a sight word?
Yes. "are" appears on the standard Dolch and Fry high-frequency word lists, which means children meet it constantly in early books and should read it instantly rather than sounding it out.
How do you use "are" in a sentence?
We are best friends.
How many letters are in "are"?
"are" has 3 letters: a, r, e.
How long does it take to learn the sight word "are"?
Most children can read a single sight word on sight after four to eight short exposures spread over a few days. Practise "are" for two minutes a day rather than twenty minutes once.
Practise "are" in the game
A real human voice reads the word, your child taps the match, and LQuest tracks which words are secure.
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