Skip to content

Study Hub

Study Guides

This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.

Year 5 - English

Spelling words with the suffix -ent

Noun suffixes, letter strings and homophones

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils learn spelling and grammar conventions associated with more noun suffixes like -ant, -ance, -ancy, -ent, -ence and -ency, reviewing how the addition of a suffix can affect the grammar of a word, for example its word class. Pupils investigate letter strings and homophones.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to spell words using the suffix -ent.

Key Notes

  • Words that end with suffixes -ant and -ent can sound like 'unt' when we speak.
  • The -ent spelling may be found after a 'soft c', 'soft 'g' or 'qu'.
  • Words ending in -ent sometimes have related words where the 'e' vowel sound is clearer, like resident - residential.
  • The letters 'ent' can also be found in the noun suffix -ment.
  • How to spell the curriculum words: different, excellent, experiment and equipment.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • root word: the base word from which other words are formed often by adding prefixes or suffixes
  • suffix: a letter or group of letters added to the end of a word to change its meaning

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Some pupils may think all words ending in -ent are the same word class.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.

Words that end with suffixes -ant and -ent can sound like 'unt' when we speak. The -ent spelling may be found after a 'soft c', 'soft 'g' or 'qu'.

2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'root word'

the base word from which other words are formed often by adding prefixes or suffixes.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Some pupils may think all words ending in -ent are the same word class. Correction: Whilst the suffixes -ent and -ence can change word class, not all words ending in -ent are the same word class. Give examples in a sentence to demonstrate, using the words contentment, (to) frequent, and silent.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 5 English guide library.