Words Ending in '-ancy' or '-ency'
English: Year 5 & 6 National Curriculum, topic 1.3.6
Suffixes: '-ancy' or '-ency'
The suffixes '-ancy'/'-ency' 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:
- 'decency'
'Hesit-'
- Which of these is the correct spelling: 'hesitancy' or 'hesitency'?
- You can use the word 'hesitation' for a more obvious 'a' sound.
- We can use the spelling of 'hesitation' to work out that 'hesitancy' is the correct spellings.
'Emerg-'
- Which of these is the correct spelling: 'emergency' or 'emergancy'?
- There are no words related to 'emergency' ending in '-ation'.
- So we need to use an 'e' for this spelling.
- The correct spelling is 'emergency'.
Test yourself on Words Ending in '-ancy' or '-ency'
Which word should fill the gap?
The glass is clear because of its ____.