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Year 5 - English

Spelling words with the suffixes -ance and -ancy

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 suffixes -ance and -ancy.

Key Notes

  • The suffixes -ance and -ancy can create abstract nouns.
  • The -ance or -ancy spellings may be found after a 'hard c' or 'hard 'g'.
  • Words ending in -ant/-ance/-ancy sometimes have related words where the 'ay' vowel sound is clearer.
  • Words in word families often have connected meaning and spelling.
  • How to spell the curriculum words: length, strength, though and although.

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
  • noun: a naming word for a person, place or thing
  • abstract noun: a type of noun that names an idea or quality that cannot be seen
  • adjective: describes a noun

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Children may have difficulty identifying the word class of focus words in the lesson.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

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

The suffixes -ance and -ancy can create abstract nouns. The -ance or -ancy spellings may be found after a 'hard c' or 'hard 'g'.

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: Children may have difficulty identifying the word class of focus words in the lesson. Correction: Help the children to put the words into simple sentences in order to help identify the word class. Is it a naming word for a person, place, thing or idea? Is it describing a noun? etc.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 5 English guide library.