Words Ending in '-ant' or '-ent'
English: Year 5 & 6 National Curriculum, topic 1.3.4
Suffixes: '-ant' or '-ent'
The suffixes '-ant'/'-ent' can be confusing because the 'a' and the 'e' often sound similar.
'a' or 'e'?
- What can we do if we don't know which suffix is correct?
- We can look at all the related words we know for more obvious 'a' or 'e' sounds.
- '-ation' endings are often a good place to look for a clue.
No word ending in '-ation'?
- If there are no words related to this word ending in '-ation', then the word often uses an 'e' in the suffix.
- For example:
- 'innocent'
- 'independent'
'Observ-'
- Which of these is the correct spelling: 'observent' or 'observant'?
- You can use the word 'observation' for a more obvious 'a' sound.
- We can use the spelling of 'observation' to work out that 'observant' is the correct spelling.
'Hesit-'
- Which of these is the correct spelling: 'hesitant' or 'hesitent'?
- You can use the word 'hesitation' for a more obvious 'a' sound.
- We can use the spelling of 'hesitation' to work out that 'hesitant' is the correct spelling.
Test yourself on Words Ending in '-ant' or '-ent'
Which word should fill the gap?
She wanted to be ____ and make her own choices.