What does sprain mean?
Word: Sprain
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: Sprain means to hurt a joint, such as your ankle or wrist, by twisting it suddenly. The joint swells and aches for a few days.
Synonyms: twist
How do you spell sprain?
Syllables: sprain
Tricky part: The long a sound is spelt ai. Many children write sprane or sprayn because the sound can be spelt in other ways in other words.
Watch out for: sprane, sprayn, spraine
Memory tip: A sprain is a pain in your ankle, and pain and sprain share the same ai for the long a sound.
Sprain in a sentence
Example 1: Aarav sprained his ankle while running down the stairs.
Example 2: Wear proper shoes so you do not sprain your foot in the race.
Example 3: The doctor said it was only a sprain and would heal in a week.
Fun Fact
A sprain hurts a ligament, the tough band that ties two bones together at a joint. An injury to a muscle is called a strain instead.
Practise the CREST Way
Sound Check
Which of the following words does not rhyme with sprain?
a) plane
b) plan
c) rein
d) chain
Show answer
b) plan. Plan has the short a of cat, so it cannot rhyme with sprain.
Jumble Tumble
Choose the correct sequence of the jumbled letters to form a meaningful word:
rpnias 123456
a) 612543
b) 621453
c) 345126
d) 621543
Show answer
d) 621543. Number 6 gives the opening s, and the code ends on n at number 3.
Word Champ
Choose the correct word for the blank:
Ritu twisted her wrist at netball practice, so the coach put an ice pack on the ______.
a) spray
b) sprint
c) sprain
d) sprout
Show answer
c) sprain. A twisted wrist that swells up is a sprain, so that is what needs the ice.
Spell Spies
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) sprain
b) ankle
c) swolen
d) bandage
Show answer
c) swolen. Swollen, meaning puffed up, needs a double l.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A sprain usually happens when you:
a) read in very dim light
b) twist your foot on a step
c) sit in a cold room
d) eat too much sugar at once
Show answer
b) twist your foot on a step
2. What would a doctor tell you to do for a sprained wrist?
a) keep using it as usual
b) lift heavy bags with it
c) rest it and keep it still
d) play cricket with it today
Show answer
c) rest it and keep it still
