Alphabetical Order

A Today you'll learn

Recite the English alphabet in order
Arrange a group of words in alphabetical order
Use the second letter when the first letters match

B Let's understand

Alphabetical order means arranging words in the same order as the letters appear in the alphabet (A, B, C ... Z). We look at the first letter of each word first. If two words start with the same letter, we look at the second letter to decide which comes first.

C See it step by step

Example 1: Worked example

Apple, Ball, Cat — already in alphabetical order (A, B, C).

Example 2: Worked example

Dog, Deer — "Deer" comes before "Dog" because E comes before O.

D Your turn

How many letters are in the English alphabet?

Look back at "Let's understand" above for a clue.

E Ready to practise?

Key idea 1

The English alphabet has 26 letters from A to Z.

Key idea 2

Alphabetical order follows the order of the alphabet.

Compare the first letters of words first

Compare the first letters of words first.

If first letters match

If first letters match, compare the second letters.

Key idea 5

Dictionaries and indexes use alphabetical order.

Warm up

1. Arrange in alphabetical order: Mango, Apple, Banana

2. Arrange in alphabetical order: Dog, Cat, Ant

3. Which comes first: Hen or Horse?

Practise

4. Arrange in alphabetical order: Ball, Bat, Bag

5. Which letter comes after M?

6. Which letter comes before R?

Challenge

7. Arrange in alphabetical order: Zebra, Yak, Ant

8. Write the alphabet from F to J.

Download worksheet (PDF)