The -ave word family
11 words that rhyme
Every word here ends in "-ave". Keep the ending on the page and change only the sound at the front — that one trick turns a single decoded word into a whole list your child can read.
All -ave words
- cave
- gave
- pave
- rave
- save
- wave
- brave
- crave
- grave
- shave
- slave
How to run a five-minute session
- Say the ending "-ave" three times together.
- Add one sound in front and read: cave.
- Swap the first sound and read again — gave, pave, rave.
- Read the whole list top to bottom, then shuffled.
- Finish by having your child write two of the words from memory.
Printable sheet
-ave word family worksheet
Read each -ave word aloud, then trace it. Circle your two favourites and use them in a sentence.
Name: ______________________ Date: ____________
Common questions
What words are in the -ave family?
cave, gave, pave, rave, save, wave, brave, crave, grave, shave, slave — 11 words in total, all ending in "-ave".
What is a -ave word?
A word that ends with the letters and sound "-ave". Because the ending never changes, a child only has to decode the first sound.
How do you teach the -ave word family?
Write "-ave" once and keep it fixed. Change only the letter in front, one at a time, and have your child read each new word aloud. Ten words in five minutes is normal.
Play the -ave game
Sound Wheels spins the first sound while the ending stays put — kids read the whole family without noticing.
Play freeTeacher or school? See classroom pricing