Words Ending in '-ance' or '-ence'
English: Year 5 & 6 National Curriculum, topic 1.3.5
Suffixes: '-ance' or '-ence'
The suffixes '-ance'/'-ence' 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:
- 'innocence'
- 'independence'
'Observ-'
- Which of these is the correct spelling: 'observance' or 'observence'?
- You can use the word 'observation' for a more obvious 'a' sound.
- We can use the spelling of 'observation' to work out that 'observance' is the correct spelling.
Test yourself on Words Ending in '-ance' or '-ence'
Which word should fill the gap?
The child's ____ was clear.