What is true about irregular words in English?

Irregular words in English are indeed estimated to make up about 4% of the total vocabulary. This estimate reflects the unique nature of these words, which cannot be easily decoded using standard phonics rules typically applied to regular words. In irregular words, spelling does not always correspond to the way they are phonetically pronounced, which makes them essential to identify for effective literacy instruction.

Understanding that only a small percentage of words are irregular helps educators focus on teaching strategies that can support reading and writing development. Unlike regular words that follow predictable patterns, the limited number of irregular words allows learners to dedicate specific practice time to mastering their spellings and usages, which is a key component of structured literacy programs aimed at building proficiency in reading.