Spelling -cious, -tious, -cial and -tial
By the end of this chapter you will be able to
- Find the root word, and use -cious after -ce and -tious after -tion
- Use the letter before the ending to choose -cial or -tial
- Learn the exceptions, such as initial and commercial, and the words delicious and suspicious
- Check a spelling in a dictionary, and explain the rule in one sentence
You should already know
- Adding suffixes to root words, and spelling the new word (Year 4 spelling, Chapter 3 of the Year 4 book)
- Root words and the meaning of a word (Year 4 spelling)
Where this leads
- Spelling -ant, -ent, -able and -ible (Chapter 2 of this book)
- Root words, prefixes and the statutory word list (Chapters 3 and 4 of this book)
National Curriculum for England, Key Stage 2 English, Year 6. Content: Spell the ending -cious after a root word ending in -ce, e.g. grace, gracious (Y5-6 spelling), Spell the ending -tious after a root word ending in -tion, e.g. ambition, ambitious (Y5-6 spelling), Spell the sound /sh/ followed by /ul/ as -cial after a vowel letter, e.g. official, special (Y5-6 spelling), Spell the same sound as -tial after a consonant letter, e.g. essential, confidential, and learn the exceptions (Y5-6 spelling), Learn words that do not follow a root-word rule, and check the spelling in a dictionary (Y5-6 spelling).
Exercise P Do you remember?
Method. Add the suffix to the adjective to make an adverb.
- Find the root word. Quick is an adjective, and it is the root word.quick
- Add the suffix. Add -ly to the end of the root word. Quick does not end in y, so no letters change.quick + ly = quickly
- Write the answer. quickly
Check. quick + ly = quickly. ✓
Watch out. Do not write quickley. The root word stays the same.
Method. A noun names a thing or an idea. The suffix -ness makes a noun.
- Look at the endings. Happy is an adjective, happily is an adverb and happiness ends in the noun suffix -ness.happiness
- Check the word class. The word that names an idea is the noun.happiness
- Write the answer. happiness
Check. Happiness names a state of mind, so it is a noun. ✓
Watch out. Look for the suffix -ness or -ity, which make nouns.
Method. A prefix goes in front of the root word and changes its meaning.
- Find the root word. The root word is kind.kind
- Add the prefix. Un- means not, so unkind means not kind.un + kind = unkind
- Write the answer. unkind
Check. un + kind = unkind. ✓
Watch out. The prefix un- has one n.
Method. Nouns that end in x add -es for the plural.
- Look at the last letter. Box ends in x.box
- Add -es. A noun ending in x adds -es, so the plural is boxes.box + es = boxes
- Write the answer. boxes
Check. boxes is the plural of box. ✓
Watch out. Do not write boxs.
Method. Use the prefix un- to make the opposite.
- Find the root word. The root word is happy.happy
- Add the prefix. Un- means not, so unhappy means not happy.un + happy = unhappy
- Write the answer. unhappy
Check. un + happy = unhappy. ✓
Watch out. The prefix changes the meaning, but the root word stays the same.
The ending -cious after a root word ending in -ce
Many adjectives end in -cious. The sound at the end of these words is spelt -cious when the root word ends in -ce. To spell the new word, look at the root word, drop the e, then add -ious.
For example, grace ends in -ce. Drop the e, and add -ious: gracious.
Root words ending in -ce
| Noun (root word) | Drop the e and add -ious | Adjective |
|---|---|---|
| grace | gracious | gracious |
| space | spacious | spacious |
| malice | malicious | malicious |
| vice | vicious | vicious |
Key ideas
- A root word that ends in -ce takes the ending -cious.
- Drop the e from the root word, then add -ious.
- The adjective keeps the meaning of the root word, but it describes a person, a place or a thing.
Method. Look at the end of the root word, then choose the ending.
- Find the root word. Space is the noun, and it ends in -ce.space
- Drop the e and add -ious. The e goes, and -ious takes its place.spac + ious
- Check the word. Spacious describes a place that has a lot of room.spacious
- Write the answer. spacious
Check. space + ious = spacious. ✓
Method. The root word ends in -ce, so the ending is -cious.
- Find the root word. Malice ends in -ce.malice
- Drop the e and add -ious. Drop the e, leaving malic, then add ious.malic + ious
- Check the word. Malicious describes a person who wishes to hurt others.malicious
- Write the answer. malicious
Check. malice + ious = malicious. ✓
Method. Choose the spelling that follows the root-word rule.
- Find the root word. Grace is the root word, and it ends in -ce.grace
- Apply the rule. Drop the e and add -cious, so the spelling has the c and the i.grac + ious
- Compare the spellings. Gracous leaves out the i, so it is wrong.gracious
- Write the answer. gracious
Check. The correct spelling keeps the i: gracious. ✓
Watch out. The c and the i stay together in -cious. Do not leave out the i.
Watch out
Watch out: the root word does not always look like the new word. Look at the root word first, then add the ending. A word ending in -ce that does not come from a root word, such as delicious, is learned on its own (section 1.5).
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask your child to find the root word of each adjective in this section, then to say the new word aloud while looking at the spelling, not listening to the sound.
Exercise 1A Practice: -cious after a root word ending in -ce
Method. Look at the end of the root word, then choose the ending.
- Find the root word. grace is the noun. The adjective will end differently.grace
- Look at the last letters. A root word ending in -ce takes the ending -cious: drop the e, then add -ious.grace ends in -ce: drop the e (grac), then add -ious: gracious
- Write the answer. gracious
Check. grace becomes gracious. ✓
Watch out. Use -cious after -ce and -tious after -tion. Do not write -cous or -shus.
Method. Look at the end of the root word, then choose the ending.
- Find the root word. space is the noun. The adjective will end differently.space
- Look at the last letters. A root word ending in -ce takes the ending -cious: drop the e, then add -ious.space ends in -ce: drop the e (spac), then add -ious: spacious
- Write the answer. spacious
Check. space becomes spacious. ✓
Watch out. Use -cious after -ce and -tious after -tion. Do not write -cous or -shus.
Method. Look at the end of the root word, then choose the ending.
- Find the root word. malice is the noun. The adjective will end differently.malice
- Look at the last letters. A root word ending in -ce takes the ending -cious: drop the e, then add -ious.malice ends in -ce: drop the e (malic), then add -ious: malicious
- Write the answer. malicious
Check. malice becomes malicious. ✓
Watch out. Use -cious after -ce and -tious after -tion. Do not write -cous or -shus.
Method. Look at the end of the root word, then choose the ending.
- Find the root word. vice is the noun. The adjective will end differently.vice
- Look at the last letters. A root word ending in -ce takes the ending -cious: drop the e, then add -ious.vice ends in -ce: drop the e (vic), then add -ious: vicious
- Write the answer. vicious
Check. vice becomes vicious. ✓
Watch out. Use -cious after -ce and -tious after -tion. Do not write -cous or -shus.
Method. Test each choice against the sentence or the text.
- Read what the question asks for. Decide what the sentence or the text needs.
- Test the choice. Space ends in -ce, so the adjective is spacious: drop the e and add -cious.spacious fits
- Reject the other choices. spatious has the wrong ending for this word.spatious do not fit
- Write the answer. spacious
Check. The choice fits the sentence or the text. ✓
Watch out. Look at the root word, or at the letter before the ending.
Method. Test each choice against the sentence or the text.
- Read what the question asks for. Decide what the sentence or the text needs.
- Test the choice. Grace ends in -ce, so the ending keeps both the c and the i: -cious.gracious fits
- Reject the other choices. gracous has the wrong ending for this word.gracous do not fit
- Write the answer. gracious
Check. The choice fits the sentence or the text. ✓
Watch out. Look at the root word, or at the letter before the ending.
Method. Use the meaning to find the adjective, then check the root word.
- Use the meaning. The meaning is kind, polite and generous.kind, polite and generous
- Check the root word. Grace ends in -ce, so the adjective is gracious.grace + ious
- Write the answer. gracious
Check. gracious comes from grace and has the meaning given. ✓
Method. Find the adjective that fits the sentence, then check its spelling.
- Find the missing word. A hostess who welcomes guests kindly is gracious.gracious
- Check the spelling. Grace ends in -ce, so the adjective is spelt gracious.grace + ious
- Write the answer. gracious
Check. The sentence now makes sense with gracious. ✓
Method. Find the word with the wrong spelling, and write the correct adjective from space.
- Find the word that is wrong. Spatious does not come from space by the root-word rule.spatious
- Write the correct adjective. Space ends in -ce, so drop the e and add -cious.spacious
- Write the answer. The spacious hall was full of dancers.
Check. The hall had a lot of room, so spacious is the right word. ✓
Method. Use the root-word rule, not a guess.
- Find the root word. Vice is the noun, and it ends in -ce.vice
- Apply the rule. Drop the e and add -cious: vic + ious.vicious
- Write the answer. Ruby is wrong, because vice ends in -ce, so the ending is -cious and the adjective is vicious.
Check. vice + ious = vicious. ✓
Method. Check the root word of each adjective.
- Check gracious, spacious and malicious. Grace, space and malice all end in -ce.grace, space, malice
- Check ambitious. The root word is ambition, which ends in -tion, so it takes -tious.ambition
- Write the answer. ambitious
Check. Only ambitious follows the -tion rule instead. ✓
Method. Drop the e, then add -cious.
- Find the root word. Vice is the root word, and it ends in -ce.vice
- Drop the e and add -cious. Vice loses its e and gains -cious.vic + ious
- Write the answer. vicious
Check. vice + ious = vicious. ✓
Method. Think about the root word first.
- Find the root word. Malice is the root word, and it ends in -ce.malice
- Link it to the spelling. Dropping the e and adding -cious gives malicious.malicious
- Write the answer. Malice ends in -ce, so drop the e and add -cious, giving malicious.
Check. malice + ious = malicious. ✓
Method. Use the adjective in a sentence that describes a room.
- Choose the adjective. Spacious describes a room with a lot of room.spacious
- Write the sentence. Add a second clause that shows what the room holds.The bedroom was spacious
- Write the answer. The bedroom was spacious, with room for a desk, a bed and a bookcase.
Check. The sentence uses spacious correctly. ✓
Method. Use malicious to describe something that is meant to hurt.
- Choose a subject. A rumour can be malicious.The malicious rumour
- Finish the sentence. Add a verb and an ending that makes sense.spread quickly around the school
- Write the answer. The malicious rumour spread quickly around the school.
Check. The sentence uses malicious with the right spelling. ✓
Method. Say what the root word does and what the ending does.
- Say what the root word ends in. Grace ends in -ce.ends in -ce
- Say what the ending becomes. Drop the e, then add -cious.-cious
- Write the answer. A root word ending in -ce takes the ending -cious
Check. The rule is the same for grace, space, malice and vice. ✓
The ending -tious after a root word ending in -tion
Many adjectives end in -tious. The sound at the end of these words is spelt -tious when the root word ends in -tion. Drop the -ion from the root word, then add -ious.
For example, ambition ends in -tion. Drop -ion, and add -ious: ambitious.
Root words ending in -tion
| Noun (root word) | Drop -ion and add -ious | Adjective |
|---|---|---|
| ambition | ambitious | ambitious |
| caution | cautious | cautious |
| nutrition | nutritious | nutritious |
| infection | infectious | infectious |
| superstition | superstitious | superstitious |
| repetition | repetitious | repetitious |
Key ideas
- A root word that ends in -tion takes the ending -tious.
- Drop -ion from the root word, then add -ious.
- The t in -tious comes from the t in -tion, so keep the t when you write the adjective.
Method. The root word ends in -tion, so the ending is -tious.
- Find the root word. Nutrition ends in -tion.nutrition
- Drop -ion and add -ious. Drop -ion, leaving nutrit, then add ious.nutrit + ious
- Check the word. Nutritious describes food that is good for your health.nutritious
- Write the answer. nutritious
Check. nutrition - ion + ious = nutritious. ✓
Method. Caution ends in -tion, so the adjective ends in -tious.
- Find the root word. Caution ends in -tion.caution
- Drop -ion and add -ious. Drop -ion, leaving caut, then add ious.caut + ious
- Check the word. Cautious describes someone who is careful to avoid danger.cautious
- Write the answer. cautious
Check. caution - ion + ious = cautious. ✓
Method. Check the root word, and drop -ion before adding -ious.
- Find the root word. Superstition ends in -tion.superstition
- Drop -ion and add -ious. Drop -ion, leaving superstit, then add ious.superstit + ious
- Compare the spellings. Superstitious keeps the t and the i before -ous; superstitous leaves out the i.superstitious
- Write the answer. superstitious
Check. The correct spelling is superstitious. ✓
Watch out. Many people leave out the i. Look at the root word, then write the -ious ending in full.
Watch out
Watch out: the word cautious has a -tious ending, but cautions is a noun or a verb. Do not use the adjective spelling when you need the noun.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Write the root word and the adjective side by side on paper. Cover the adjective, and see if your child can write it from the root word by dropping -ion and adding -ious.
Exercise 1B Practice: -tious after a root word ending in -tion
Method. Look at the end of the root word, then choose the ending.
- Find the root word. ambition is the noun. The adjective will end differently.ambition
- Look at the last letters. A root word ending in -tion takes the ending -tious.ambition ends in -tion: drop -ion (ambit), then add -ious: ambitious
- Write the answer. ambitious
Check. ambition becomes ambitious. ✓
Watch out. Use -cious after -ce and -tious after -tion. Do not write -cous or -shus.
Method. Look at the end of the root word, then choose the ending.
- Find the root word. caution is the noun. The adjective will end differently.caution
- Look at the last letters. A root word ending in -tion takes the ending -tious.caution ends in -tion: drop -ion (caut), then add -ious: cautious
- Write the answer. cautious
Check. caution becomes cautious. ✓
Watch out. Use -cious after -ce and -tious after -tion. Do not write -cous or -shus.
Method. Look at the end of the root word, then choose the ending.
- Find the root word. nutrition is the noun. The adjective will end differently.nutrition
- Look at the last letters. A root word ending in -tion takes the ending -tious.nutrition ends in -tion: drop -ion (nutrit), then add -ious: nutritious
- Write the answer. nutritious
Check. nutrition becomes nutritious. ✓
Watch out. Use -cious after -ce and -tious after -tion. Do not write -cous or -shus.
Method. Look at the end of the root word, then choose the ending.
- Find the root word. infection is the noun. The adjective will end differently.infection
- Look at the last letters. A root word ending in -tion takes the ending -tious.infection ends in -tion: drop -ion (infect), then add -ious: infectious
- Write the answer. infectious
Check. infection becomes infectious. ✓
Watch out. Use -cious after -ce and -tious after -tion. Do not write -cous or -shus.
Method. Look at the end of the root word, then choose the ending.
- Find the root word. superstition is the noun. The adjective will end differently.superstition
- Look at the last letters. A root word ending in -tion takes the ending -tious.superstition ends in -tion: drop -ion (superstit), then add -ious: superstitious
- Write the answer. superstitious
Check. superstition becomes superstitious. ✓
Watch out. Use -cious after -ce and -tious after -tion. Do not write -cous or -shus.
Method. Look at the end of the root word, then choose the ending.
- Find the root word. repetition is the noun. The adjective will end differently.repetition
- Look at the last letters. A root word ending in -tion takes the ending -tious.repetition ends in -tion: drop -ion (repetit), then add -ious: repetitious
- Write the answer. repetitious
Check. repetition becomes repetitious. ✓
Watch out. Use -cious after -ce and -tious after -tion. Do not write -cous or -shus.
Method. Test each choice against the sentence or the text.
- Read what the question asks for. Decide what the sentence or the text needs.
- Test the choice. Nutrition ends in -tion, so drop -ion and add -ious: nutritious.nutritious fits
- Reject the other choices. nutricious has the wrong ending for this word.nutricious do not fit
- Write the answer. nutritious
Check. The choice fits the sentence or the text. ✓
Watch out. Look at the root word, or at the letter before the ending.
Method. Use the meaning to find the adjective, then check the root word.
- Use the meaning. The meaning is able to spread from one person to another.able to spread
- Check the root word. Infection ends in -tion, so the adjective is infectious.infect + ious
- Write the answer. infectious
Check. infectious comes from infection. ✓
Method. Find the word that is spelt wrongly, and write its root word to help.
- Find the word that is wrong. Superstitous is missing the i before -ous.superstitous
- Use the root word. Superstition ends in -tion, so the adjective is superstitious.superstition
- Write the answer. He was superstitious about the number on the bus.
Check. superstitious keeps the t and the i. ✓
Method. Remove the -ious ending, and put back the -ion.
- Remove the ending. Repetitious ends in -ious, so the root word ends in -tion.repetit-
- Put back -ion. The root word is the noun that means the act of repeating.repetition
- Write the answer. repetition
Check. repetitious comes from repetition. ✓
Method. Find the root word and its ending.
- Find the root word. Ambition is the noun, and it ends in -tion.ambition
- Apply the rule. A root word ending in -tion takes -tious, so the adjective is ambitious.ambitious
- Write the answer. Ambition ends in -tion, and a root word that ends in -tion takes -tious, so the adjective is ambitious.
Check. ambition - ion + ious = ambitious. ✓
Method. Drop -ion, then add -ious.
- Find the root word. Superstition ends in -tion.superstition
- Drop -ion and add -ious. Drop -ion, then add ious.superstit + ious
- Write the answer. superstitious
Check. superstition - ion + ious = superstitious. ✓
Method. Use the adjective to describe food.
- Choose a subject. The snack is the subject of the sentence.The fruit and nuts
- Add the adjective. Nutritious describes the snack.a nutritious snack
- Write the answer. The fruit and nuts were a nutritious snack for the walk.
Check. The sentence uses nutritious with the right spelling. ✓
Method. Find the noun that the adjective comes from.
- Find the adjective. Cautious is the adjective.cautious
- Find its root word. Caution is the noun, and drop -ion and add -ious gives cautious.caution
- Write the answer. caution
Check. caution - ion + ious = cautious. ✓
Method. Drop -ion, then add -ious.
- Find the root word. Ambition ends in -tion.ambition
- Drop -ion and add -ious. Drop -ion, then add ious.ambit + ious
- Write the answer. ambitious
Check. ambition - ion + ious = ambitious. ✓
Method. Use the root word to check the spelling.
- Find the root word. Nutrition ends in -tion.nutrition
- Apply the rule. Drop -ion and add -ious: nutritious.nutrit + ious
- Write the answer. Look at the root word nutrition, drop -ion and add -ious, giving nutritious.
Check. The poster needs nutritious, with an i before the -ous. ✓
Method. Use the adjective to describe a person.
- Choose a person. A striker is a person in a team.The striker
- Add the adjective. Ambitious describes the striker, who wants to achieve a lot.The ambitious striker practised
- Write the answer. The ambitious striker practised every morning.
Check. The sentence uses ambitious correctly. ✓
Method. Look at the root word and the adjective, and compare them.
- Compare the words. Caution and cautious both start with caut.caut
- Say what changes. Only the ending changes, from -ion to -ious.-ion to -ious
- Write the answer. Cautious keeps the root word caut, and only the ending changes from -ion to -ious
Check. The root keeps its letters, and the ending changes. ✓
The ending -cial after a vowel letter
Some words end in -cial (spelt c, i, a, l). The -cial ending comes after a vowel letter, such as the e in special, or the i in official.
To check, look at the letter just before the ending. If it is a vowel letter (a, e, i, o or u), the ending is -cial.
Vowel letter before -cial
| Word | Letter before -cial | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| special | e | better or different from the usual |
| official | i | approved by the people in charge |
| artificial | i | made by people, not natural |
| facial | a | of or on the face |
| crucial | u | very important |
| beneficial | i | helpful or useful |
Key ideas
- The ending -cial comes after a vowel letter: a, e, i, o or u.
- Look at the letter before the ending, not at the sound.
- Write c, i, a, l at the end of the word.
Method. Look at the letter before the ending.
- Find the letter before the ending. The letter before the ending is i, which is a vowel.offi
- Apply the rule. A vowel letter before the ending gives -cial.offi + cial
- Write the word. Official means approved by the people in charge.official
- Write the answer. official
Check. The letter before -cial is a vowel. ✓
Method. Use the meaning, then check the letter before the ending.
- Think about the meaning. Very important is the meaning.very important
- Check the letter before the ending. The letter before -cial is u, a vowel.cru + cial
- Write the word. Crucial means very important.crucial
- Write the answer. crucial
Check. crucial ends in -cial after the vowel u. ✓
Method. Use the meaning, then check the letter before the ending.
- Use the meaning. Of or on the face is the meaning.of or on the face
- Check the letter before the ending. The letter before -cial is a, a vowel.fac + ial
- Write the answer. Facial follows the vowel rule.facial
- Write the answer. facial
Check. facial has the vowel a before -cial. ✓
Watch out
Watch out: social ends in -cial, and the letter before the ending is o, a vowel. It follows the rule, so it is spelt social and not sotial.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask your child to cover the word and write the letter that comes just before -cial. If it is a, e, i, o or u, the ending is -cial.
Exercise 1C Practice: -cial after a vowel letter
Method. Think about the meaning, then check the ending.
- Think about the meaning. The meaning is: better or different from the usual.better or different from the usual
- Check the ending. special has the letter e before -cial. A vowel letter before the ending gives -cial.special
- Write the answer. special
Check. special has the meaning given. ✓
Watch out. Say the word, then check the letters that come before the ending.
Method. Think about the meaning, then check the ending.
- Think about the meaning. The meaning is: approved by the people in charge.approved by the people in charge
- Check the ending. official has the letter i before -cial. A vowel letter before the ending gives -cial.official
- Write the answer. official
Check. official has the meaning given. ✓
Watch out. Say the word, then check the letters that come before the ending.
Method. Think about the meaning, then check the ending.
- Think about the meaning. The meaning is: made by people, not natural.made by people, not natural
- Check the ending. artificial has the letter i before -cial. A vowel letter before the ending gives -cial.artificial
- Write the answer. artificial
Check. artificial has the meaning given. ✓
Watch out. Say the word, then check the letters that come before the ending.
Method. Think about the meaning, then check the ending.
- Think about the meaning. The meaning is: of or on the face.of or on the face
- Check the ending. facial has the letter a before -cial. A vowel letter before the ending gives -cial.facial
- Write the answer. facial
Check. facial has the meaning given. ✓
Watch out. Say the word, then check the letters that come before the ending.
Method. Think about the meaning, then check the ending.
- Think about the meaning. The meaning is: very important.very important
- Check the ending. crucial has the letter u before -cial. A vowel letter before the ending gives -cial.crucial
- Write the answer. crucial
Check. crucial has the meaning given. ✓
Watch out. Say the word, then check the letters that come before the ending.
Method. Think about the meaning, then check the ending.
- Think about the meaning. The meaning is: helpful or useful.helpful or useful
- Check the ending. beneficial has the letter i before -cial. A vowel letter before the ending gives -cial.beneficial
- Write the answer. beneficial
Check. beneficial has the meaning given. ✓
Watch out. Say the word, then check the letters that come before the ending.
Method. Look at the letter before the ending.
- Find the letter before the ending. The letter before the ending is i.official
- Apply the rule. A vowel letter before the ending gives -cial. A consonant letter before the ending gives -tial.-cial
- Write the answer. -cial
Check. official ends in -cial. ✓
Watch out. Decide from the letter before the ending, not from how the word sounds.
Method. Look at the letter before the ending.
- Find the letter before the ending. The letter before the ending is u.crucial
- Apply the rule. A vowel letter before the ending gives -cial. A consonant letter before the ending gives -tial.-cial
- Write the answer. -cial
Check. crucial ends in -cial. ✓
Watch out. Decide from the letter before the ending, not from how the word sounds.
Method. Test each choice against the sentence or the text.
- Read what the question asks for. Decide what the sentence or the text needs.
- Test the choice. The letter before -cial is i, a vowel, so the ending is -cial: artificial.artificial fits
- Reject the other choices. artifitial has the wrong ending for this word.artifitial do not fit
- Write the answer. artificial
Check. The choice fits the sentence or the text. ✓
Watch out. Look at the root word, or at the letter before the ending.
Method. Test each choice against the sentence or the text.
- Read what the question asks for. Decide what the sentence or the text needs.
- Test the choice. Beneficial has the vowel i before -cial, so the spelling keeps the e: beneficial.beneficial fits
- Reject the other choices. benificial has the wrong ending for this word.benificial do not fit
- Write the answer. beneficial
Check. The choice fits the sentence or the text. ✓
Watch out. Look at the root word, or at the letter before the ending.
Method. Name the letter before the ending.
- Find the letter before the ending. The letter before -cial is i.i
- Apply the rule. A vowel letter before -cial means the ending is -cial.official
- Write the answer. The letter before -cial is i, which is a vowel, so the ending is -cial.
Check. The vowel rule gives -cial. ✓
Method. Use the meaning, then check the vowel before the ending.
- Use the meaning. Of or on the face means facial.of or on the face
- Check the letter before -cial. The letter before -cial is a, a vowel.fac + ial
- Write the answer. facial
Check. facial follows the vowel rule. ✓
Method. Think about the meaning, then check the ending.
- Think about the meaning. Made by people, not natural, is artificial.made by people
- Check the ending. The letter before -cial is i, a vowel.artific + ial
- Write the answer. artificial
Check. artificial follows the vowel rule. ✓
Method. Look at the letters just before -cial.
- Find the ending. The ending is -cial, which is c, i, a, l.-cial
- Find the letter before it. The letter before c is e, a vowel.sp e cial
- Write the answer. e
Check. special: the letter before -cial is e. ✓
Method. Look at the letters just before -cial.
- Find the letter before -cial. Beneficial ends in -cial, and the letter before it is i.benefi cial
- Check it is a vowel. I is a vowel, so the ending is -cial.i
- Write the answer. i
Check. beneficial: the letter before -cial is i. ✓
Method. Use the word in a sentence about a day.
- Choose a subject. The day is the subject of the sentence.Our special day
- Finish the sentence. Add a verb and an end to the sentence.was the best of the summer
- Write the answer. Our special day at the seaside was the best of the summer.
Check. The sentence spells special correctly. ✓
Method. Use the meaning, then check the ending.
- Use the meaning. Helpful or useful is beneficial.helpful or useful
- Check the ending. The letter before -cial is i, a vowel.benefi + cial
- Write the answer. beneficial
Check. beneficial follows the vowel rule. ✓
Method. Use the rule for the vowel letter.
- Find the word that is wrong. Officail uses -ail, not -cial.officail
- Write the correct spelling. The letter before -cial is i, so the ending is -cial.official
- Write the answer. The official result, because the letter before -cial is i, a vowel.
Check. official is spelt with -cial. ✓
Method. Say which letter you check, and what each kind of letter gives.
- Find the letter before the ending. Look at the letter just before -cial or -tial.the letter before
- Apply the rule. A vowel gives -cial, and a consonant gives -tial.vowel gives -cial
- Write the answer. Look at the letter before the ending: a vowel letter gives -cial
Check. The rule uses the letter before the ending. ✓
The ending -tial after a consonant letter, and the exceptions
Some words end in -tial (spelt t, i, a, l). The -tial ending comes after a consonant letter, such as the n in essential, or the r in partial.
Two words break the pattern: initial has a vowel letter before -tial, and commercial has a consonant letter before -cial. Learn these two exceptions.
Consonant letter before -tial
| Word | Letter before -tial | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| essential | n | absolutely necessary |
| confidential | n | secret, to be kept private |
| substantial | n | large or considerable |
| partial | r | not complete |
| residential | n | where people live |
| potential | n | possible in the future |
| influential | n | having the power to affect others |
Exceptions to learn
| Word | What breaks the rule | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| initial | -tial follows the vowel letter i, so the rule would expect -cial | the first one, at the start |
| commercial | -cial follows the consonant letter r, so the rule would expect -tial | about buying and selling |
Key ideas
- The ending -tial comes after a consonant letter.
- Initial and commercial are exceptions, so learn them.
- The word social follows the vowel rule, because the letter before -cial is o.
Method. Use the meaning, then check the consonant before the ending.
- Use the meaning. Absolutely necessary is the meaning.absolutely necessary
- Check the letter before the ending. The letter before -tial is n, a consonant.essen + tial
- Write the word. Essential means absolutely necessary.essential
- Write the answer. essential
Check. essential follows the consonant rule. ✓
Method. Look at the letter before the ending.
- Find the letter before the ending. The letter before the ending is n, a consonant.confiden
- Apply the rule. A consonant letter before the ending gives -tial.confiden + tial
- Write the word. Confidential means secret, to be kept private.confidential
- Write the answer. confidential
Check. The letter before -tial is a consonant. ✓
Method. Use the meaning, then learn the exception.
- Use the meaning. The first one, at the start, is initial.the first one
- Check the letter before the ending. The letter before -tial is i, a vowel, so the rule for vowels would give -cial.ini + tial
- Learn the exception. Initial has -tial, so it is one of the words to learn.initial
- Write the answer. initial
Check. initial is an exception with -tial. ✓
Watch out. When a word breaks the rule, learn its spelling and say why it is an exception.
Watch out
Watch out: partial ends in -tial, and the letter before it is r, a consonant. Do not write partial with -cial, because the r is a consonant.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Make two lists on paper: words with a vowel before the ending, and words with a consonant before it. Ask your child to put each new word in the right list, then check the exceptions.
Exercise 1D Practice: -tial after a consonant letter, and the exceptions
Method. Think about the meaning, then check the ending.
- Think about the meaning. The meaning is: absolutely necessary.absolutely necessary
- Check the ending. The letter before -tial in essential is n, a consonant, so the ending is -tial.essential
- Write the answer. essential
Check. essential has the meaning given. ✓
Watch out. Say the word, then check the letters that come before the ending.
Method. Think about the meaning, then check the ending.
- Think about the meaning. The meaning is: secret, to be kept private.secret, to be kept private
- Check the ending. The letter before -tial in confidential is n, a consonant, so the ending is -tial.confidential
- Write the answer. confidential
Check. confidential has the meaning given. ✓
Watch out. Say the word, then check the letters that come before the ending.
Method. Think about the meaning, then check the ending.
- Think about the meaning. The meaning is: large or considerable.large or considerable
- Check the ending. The letter before -tial in substantial is n, a consonant, so the ending is -tial.substantial
- Write the answer. substantial
Check. substantial has the meaning given. ✓
Watch out. Say the word, then check the letters that come before the ending.
Method. Think about the meaning, then check the ending.
- Think about the meaning. The meaning is: not complete.not complete
- Check the ending. The letter before -tial in partial is r, a consonant, so the ending is -tial.partial
- Write the answer. partial
Check. partial has the meaning given. ✓
Watch out. Say the word, then check the letters that come before the ending.
Method. Look at the letter before the ending.
- Find the letter before the ending. The letter before the ending is r.partial
- Apply the rule. A vowel letter before the ending gives -cial. A consonant letter before the ending gives -tial.-tial
- Write the answer. -tial
Check. partial ends in -tial. ✓
Watch out. Decide from the letter before the ending, not from how the word sounds.
Method. Look at the letter before the ending.
- Find the letter before the ending. The letter before the ending is n.potential
- Apply the rule. A vowel letter before the ending gives -cial. A consonant letter before the ending gives -tial.-tial
- Write the answer. -tial
Check. potential ends in -tial. ✓
Watch out. Decide from the letter before the ending, not from how the word sounds.
Method. Test each choice against the sentence or the text.
- Read what the question asks for. Decide what the sentence or the text needs.
- Test the choice. The letter before -tial is n, a consonant, so the spelling is -tial.confidential fits
- Reject the other choices. confidencial has the wrong ending for this word.confidencial do not fit
- Write the answer. confidential
Check. The choice fits the sentence or the text. ✓
Watch out. Look at the root word, or at the letter before the ending.
Method. Test each choice against the sentence or the text.
- Read what the question asks for. Decide what the sentence or the text needs.
- Test the choice. Substantial has the consonant n before -tial, so the ending is -tial.substantial fits
- Reject the other choices. substancial has the wrong ending for this word.substancial do not fit
- Write the answer. substantial
Check. The choice fits the sentence or the text. ✓
Watch out. Look at the root word, or at the letter before the ending.
Method. Think about the meaning, then check the ending.
- Think about the meaning. The meaning is: the first one, at the start.the first one, at the start
- Check the ending. Initial is an exception: the letter before -tial is i, a vowel, but it still ends in -tial.initial
- Write the answer. initial
Check. initial has the meaning given. ✓
Watch out. Say the word, then check the letters that come before the ending.
Method. Think about the meaning, then check the ending.
- Think about the meaning. The meaning is: about buying and selling.about buying and selling
- Check the ending. Commercial is an exception: the letter before -cial is r, a consonant, but the ending is still -cial.commercial
- Write the answer. commercial
Check. commercial has the meaning given. ✓
Watch out. Say the word, then check the letters that come before the ending.
Method. Compare the rule with the spelling.
- Find the letter before the ending. In initial, the letter before -tial is i, a vowel.i
- Compare with the rule. A vowel would normally give -cial, but initial is spelt with -tial.initial
- Write the answer. The letter before -tial is i, a vowel, so the rule would expect -cial, but initial is an exception and ends in -tial.
Check. initial is an exception that must be learned. ✓
Method. Find the word that is wrong and check the letter before its ending.
- Find the word that is wrong. Essencial ends in -cial, but the letter before the ending is n, a consonant.essencial
- Write the correct spelling. Use -tial after a consonant: essential.essential
- Write the answer. The essential task must be done before lunch.
Check. essential is spelt with -tial. ✓
Method. Use the meaning, then check the consonant before the ending.
- Use the meaning. Large or considerable is the meaning.large or considerable
- Check the letter before -tial. The letter before -tial is n, a consonant.substan + tial
- Write the answer. substantial
Check. substantial follows the consonant rule. ✓
Method. Use the word to describe a sponsor or a business.
- Choose the subject. The sponsor is the subject.The commercial sponsor
- Finish the sentence. Add a verb and an end to the sentence.paid for the new team kit
- Write the answer. The commercial sponsor paid for the new team kit.
Check. The sentence spells commercial correctly. ✓
Method. Say what the rule would expect, and what the word really does.
- Find the letter before the ending. In commercial, the letter before -cial is r.r
- Compare with the rule. A consonant would normally give -tial, but commercial is spelt -cial.commercial
- Write the answer. The letter before -cial is r, a consonant, so the consonant rule would expect -tial, but commercial is spelt -cial
Check. commercial is an exception. ✓
Method. Use the meaning, then check the consonant before the ending.
- Use the meaning. Where people live is residential.where people live
- Check the letter before -tial. The letter before -tial is n, a consonant.residen + tial
- Write the answer. residential
Check. residential follows the consonant rule. ✓
Method. Look at the letter before the ending.
- Find the letter before the ending. In potential, the letter before -tial is n.n
- Apply the rule. A consonant before the ending gives -tial.potential
- Write the answer. The letter before -tial is n, a consonant, so the ending is -tial.
Check. potential has the consonant n. ✓
Words to learn, and checking the spelling in a dictionary
Some words do not come from a root word that follows the rules. You need to learn them, or check them in a dictionary. Two examples are delicious and suspicious.
When you check a word in a dictionary, look at the first letters, then at the next letters, until you find the entry. Read the spelling of the word in the entry, and check its meaning too.
Three steps to check a spelling
1Find the root word. If there is one, use the rule for its ending.
2If the word has no clear root word, check the letter before the ending.
3If you are still not sure, look the word up in a dictionary, and check its spelling and meaning.
Key ideas
- Some -cious and -tious words have no -ce or -tion root word, so learn them.
- A dictionary gives the spelling and the meaning of a word.
- Use three steps: root word, letter before the ending, then the dictionary.
Method. Use the meaning, then learn the spelling.
- Use the meaning. Tastes very good is the meaning.tastes very good
- Check the root word. Delicious has no root word that ends in -ce or -tion, so learn the spelling.delicious
- Write the answer. Delicious is spelt with -cious.delicious
- Write the answer. delicious
Check. delicious is spelt with c, i, o, u, s. ✓
Method. Read the spelling in the dictionary entry.
- Find the headword. The headword is the word at the top of the entry.suspicious
- Check the meaning. The meaning shows the word is an adjective, which makes you think something is wrong.adjective
- Write the answer. The headword is the spelling to copy.suspicious
- Write the answer. suspicious
Check. The dictionary gives the spelling suspicious. ✓
Method. Learn the spelling, then check it in a dictionary.
- Say the parts of the word. Suspicious has -cious at the end, and the i comes before the o.sus-pi-cious
- Check the spelling. Suspicous leaves out the i, so it is wrong.suspicious
- Write the answer. suspicious
Check. suspicious has the letters i, o, u, s after c. ✓
Watch out. Learn the tricky letters, such as the i in suspicious, and check the spelling when you are not sure.
Watch out
Watch out: a dictionary shows the spelling of each word, not the root word. Use the root word first, then check the dictionary when the word has no clear root.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Choose three words from this section, and ask your child to find each one in a dictionary. Ask them to read the entry aloud, and to point to the spelling of the headword.
Exercise 1E Practice: words to learn and checking
Method. Think about the meaning, then check the ending.
- Think about the meaning. The meaning is: tastes very good.tastes very good
- Check the ending. delicious has no root word ending in -ce or -tion, so its spelling must be learned.delicious
- Write the answer. delicious
Check. delicious has the meaning given. ✓
Watch out. Say the word, then check the letters that come before the ending.
Method. Think about the meaning, then check the ending.
- Think about the meaning. The meaning is: makes you think something is wrong.makes you think something is wrong
- Check the ending. suspicious has no root word ending in -ce or -tion, so its spelling must be learned.suspicious
- Write the answer. suspicious
Check. suspicious has the meaning given. ✓
Watch out. Say the word, then check the letters that come before the ending.
Method. Test each choice against the sentence or the text.
- Read what the question asks for. Decide what the sentence or the text needs.
- Test the choice. Delicious has the letters i, o, u, s, so the spelling keeps the i.delicious fits
- Reject the other choices. delicous has the wrong ending for this word.delicous do not fit
- Write the answer. delicious
Check. The choice fits the sentence or the text. ✓
Watch out. Look at the root word, or at the letter before the ending.
Method. Test each choice against the sentence or the text.
- Read what the question asks for. Decide what the sentence or the text needs.
- Test the choice. Suspicious keeps the i before -ous, so the spelling is suspicious.suspicious fits
- Reject the other choices. suspicous has the wrong ending for this word.suspicous do not fit
- Write the answer. suspicious
Check. The choice fits the sentence or the text. ✓
Watch out. Look at the root word, or at the letter before the ending.
Method. Think about what an entry shows.
- Find the headword. The headword is the correct spelling.headword
- Check the meaning. The meaning shows whether the word fits your sentence.meaning
- Write the answer. It gives the spelling of the headword and its meaning, so you can compare what you wrote.
Check. A dictionary gives spelling and meaning. ✓
Method. Learn the correct letters, then check the spelling.
- Find the word that is wrong. Deliscious has an s before the c, which is not in delicious.deliscious
- Write the correct spelling. The correct spelling is delicious.delicious
- Write the answer. delicious
Check. delicious has the letters d, e, l, i, c, i, o, u, s. ✓
Method. Use the meaning, then check the spelling.
- Use the meaning. Makes you think something is wrong is the meaning.makes you think something is wrong
- Check the spelling. The spelling is suspicious, with an i before -ous.suspicious
- Write the answer. suspicious
Check. suspicious has the meaning given. ✓
Method. Think about the order of the three steps.
- Look at the steps. The first step is to find the root word.root word
- Use the other steps only if needed. The dictionary is used when the root word does not help.dictionary is the last step
- Write the answer. root
Check. Find the root word first. ✓
Method. Think about what a dictionary checks.
- Think about the spelling. A word may look right but be spelt differently in the entry.spelling
- Think about the meaning. The entry also shows whether the word means what you want.meaning
- Write the answer. A dictionary can still help, because a word may look right but have a different spelling or meaning.
Check. A dictionary checks both spelling and meaning. ✓
Method. Use the meaning, then check for a root word.
- Use the meaning. Tastes very good is delicious.delicious
- Check for a root word. Delicious has no -ce or -tion root word, so it is learned on its own.no root word
- Write the answer. delicious
Check. delicious is learned on its own. ✓
Method. Find the wrong word, then write the correct spelling.
- Find the wrong word. Suspicous is missing the i before -ous.suspicous
- Write the correct spelling. The correct spelling is suspicious.suspicious
- Write the answer. The rule about the suspicious noise was explained in class.
Check. suspicious has the letters i, o, u, s after c. ✓
Method. Check each word for a root word.
- Check gracious and ambitious. Gracious comes from grace, and ambitious comes from ambition.grace, ambition
- Check delicious. Delicious has no root word ending in -ce or -tion, so it must be learned.delicious
- Write the answer. delicious
Check. Only delicious is learned on its own. ✓
Method. Use the three steps in order.
- Step 1. Find the root word, if there is one.root word
- Steps 2 and 3. Check the letter before the ending, then the dictionary.dictionary
- Write the answer. Find the root word, check the letter before the ending, then look the word up in a dictionary.
Check. The three steps are in the correct order. ✓
Chapter summary
| Skill | Method |
|---|---|
| -cious | After a root word that ends in -ce, drop the e and add -cious: grace, gracious. |
| -tious | After a root word that ends in -tion, drop -ion and add -ious: ambition, ambitious. |
| -cial | After a vowel letter (a, e, i, o, u): official, special, crucial. |
| -tial | After a consonant letter: essential, confidential, partial. |
| Exceptions | Initial (-tial after a vowel) and commercial (-cial after a consonant): learn them. |
| Words to learn | Delicious and suspicious have no -ce or -tion root word: learn their spelling. |
| Dictionary check | Look up the word, read the headword and the meaning, then copy the spelling. |
Can you…?
- I can find the root word, and drop -ce or -ion before the ending
- I can spell -cious after a root word ending in -ce, e.g. gracious
- I can spell -tious after a root word ending in -tion, e.g. ambitious
- I can choose -cial after a vowel letter, e.g. official, special
- I can choose -tial after a consonant letter, e.g. essential, confidential
- I know the exceptions initial and commercial
- I can learn words with no root rule, e.g. delicious and suspicious
- I can check a spelling in a dictionary, and read the headword and meaning
Key terms
- root word
- the word that other words are made from, by adding a prefix or a suffix
- suffix
- a group of letters added to the end of a word, such as -ious or -cial
- vowel letter
- one of the letters a, e, i, o or u
- consonant letter
- any letter of the alphabet that is not a vowel letter
- adjective
- a word that describes a noun, such as gracious or official
- headword
- the word at the top of a dictionary entry, which shows the spelling
- exception
- a word that does not follow the usual rule, so it must be learned
- dictionary entry
- the part of a dictionary that gives the spelling, meaning and origin of a word
Exercise 1Z Check-up
Method. Drop the e from the root word, then add -cious.
- Find the root word. Malice ends in -ce.malice
- Drop the e and add -cious. Malice loses its e and gains -cious.malic + ious
- Write the answer. malicious
Check. malice + ious = malicious. ✓
Method. Drop -ion from the root word, then add -ious.
- Find the root word. Caution ends in -tion.caution
- Drop -ion and add -ious. Caution loses -ion and gains -ious.caut + ious
- Write the answer. cautious
Check. caution - ion + ious = cautious. ✓
Method. Test each choice against the sentence or the text.
- Read what the question asks for. Decide what the sentence or the text needs.
- Test the choice. Nutrition ends in -tion, so the adjective ends in -tious.nutritious fits
- Reject the other choices. nutricious has the wrong ending for this word.nutricious do not fit
- Write the answer. nutritious
Check. The choice fits the sentence or the text. ✓
Watch out. Look at the root word, or at the letter before the ending.
Method. Think about the meaning, then check the ending.
- Think about the meaning. The meaning is: very important.very important
- Check the ending. Crucial has the vowel u before -cial.crucial
- Write the answer. crucial
Check. crucial has the meaning given. ✓
Watch out. Say the word, then check the letters that come before the ending.
Method. Think about the meaning, then check the ending.
- Think about the meaning. The meaning is: absolutely necessary.absolutely necessary
- Check the ending. Essential has the consonant n before -tial.essential
- Write the answer. essential
Check. essential has the meaning given. ✓
Watch out. Say the word, then check the letters that come before the ending.
Method. Look at the letter before the ending.
- Find the letter before the ending. The letter before the ending is i.beneficial
- Apply the rule. A vowel letter before the ending gives -cial. A consonant letter before the ending gives -tial.-cial
- Write the answer. -cial
Check. beneficial ends in -cial. ✓
Watch out. Decide from the letter before the ending, not from how the word sounds.
Method. Look at the letter before the ending.
- Find the letter before the ending. The letter before the ending is n.confidential
- Apply the rule. A vowel letter before the ending gives -cial. A consonant letter before the ending gives -tial.-tial
- Write the answer. -tial
Check. confidential ends in -tial. ✓
Watch out. Decide from the letter before the ending, not from how the word sounds.
Method. Find the wrong word, and use its root word.
- Find the word that is wrong. Ambitous is missing the i before -ous.ambitous
- Use the root word. Ambition ends in -tion, so the adjective is ambitious.ambition
- Write the answer. The Olympic team were very ambitious this year.
Check. ambitious keeps the t and the i. ✓
Method. Use the meaning, then learn the exception.
- Use the meaning. About buying and selling is commercial.about buying and selling
- Check the exception. The letter before -cial is r, a consonant, so the word is an exception.commercial
- Write the answer. commercial
Check. commercial is spelt with -cial. ✓
Method. Name the two kinds of letter, and the ending each gives.
- Name the two kinds of letter. A vowel letter or a consonant letter comes before the ending.vowel, consonant
- Give the ending for each. A vowel gives -cial, and a consonant gives -tial.-cial, -tial
- Write the answer. A vowel letter before the ending gives -cial, and a consonant letter gives -tial.
Check. The letter before the ending decides it. ✓
Total 19 marks. Allow about 19 minutes.
Exercise 1X Practice test questions
Method. Drop the e from the root word, then add -cious.
- Find the root word. Space ends in -ce.space
- Drop the e and add -cious. Space loses its e and gains -cious.spac + ious
- Write the answer. spacious
Check. space + ious = spacious. ✓
Method. Test each choice against the sentence or the text.
- Read what the question asks for. Decide what the sentence or the text needs.
- Test the choice. Cautious follows the -tion rule: the noun is caution, so the ending is -tious.cautious fits
- Reject the other choices. Cautous leaves out the i, so the spelling is wrong.cautous do not fit
- Write the answer. cautious
Check. The choice fits the sentence or the text. ✓
Method. Drop -ion from the root word, then add -ious.
- Find the root word. Nutrition ends in -tion.nutrition
- Drop -ion and add -ious. Nutrition loses -ion and gains -ious.nutrit + ious
- Write the answer. nutritious
Check. nutrition - ion + ious = nutritious. ✓
Method. Think about the meaning, then check the ending.
- Think about the meaning. The meaning is: very important.very important
- Check the ending. Crucial has the vowel u before -cial.crucial
- Write the answer. crucial
Check. crucial has the meaning given. ✓
Watch out. Say the word, then check the letters that come before the ending.
Method. Think about the meaning, then check the ending.
- Think about the meaning. The meaning is: absolutely necessary.absolutely necessary
- Check the ending. Essential has the consonant n before -tial.essential
- Write the answer. essential
Check. essential has the meaning given. ✓
Watch out. Say the word, then check the letters that come before the ending.
Method. Find each word that is wrong, then check its root word or the letter before the ending.
- Find the first mistake. Officail should end in -cial, because the letter before the ending is i, a vowel.officail
- Find the second mistake. Substancial should end in -tial, because the letter before the ending is n, a consonant.substancial
- Write both corrections. Official and substantial are both correct.official, substantial
- Write the answer. The official report was a substantial help to the team.
Check. Both words now follow the rules. ✓
Method. Use the root word to work out the ending.
- Find the root word. Grace is the root word, and it ends in -ce.grace
- Apply the rule. Drop the e and add -cious.grac + ious
- Write the answer. Grace is the root word and it ends in -ce, so I drop the e and add -cious to get gracious.
Check. grace + ious = gracious. ✓
Method. Use the word to describe something that must be kept private.
- Choose a subject. The results are the thing that is private.The results
- Add the verb and the rest of the sentence. Confidential describes the results.were confidential until Friday.
- Write the answer. The results were confidential until Friday.
Check. The sentence spells confidential correctly. ✓
Method. Use the meaning, then check the root word.
- Use the meaning. Wanting very much to achieve something great is the meaning.wanting to achieve
- Check the root word. Ambition ends in -tion, so the adjective is ambitious.ambition
- Write the answer. ambitious
Check. ambition - ion + ious = ambitious. ✓
Method. Find the wrong word, then use its root word to write the correct spelling.
- Find the wrong word. Superstitous is missing the i before -ous.superstitous
- Find the root word. Superstition ends in -tion, so the adjective is superstitious.superstition
- Write the answer. The superstitious fisherman would not sail on a Friday. The root word is superstition.
Check. superstition - ion + ious = superstitious. ✓
Method. Look at the letter before the ending.
- Find the letter before the ending. In partial, the letter before -tial is r.r
- Apply the rule. A consonant before the ending gives -tial.partial
- Write the answer. The letter before the ending is r, a consonant, so the ending is -tial.
Check. partial has a consonant before -tial. ✓
Method. Use the meaning, then check the vowel before the ending.
- Use the meaning. Made by people, not natural, is artificial.made by people
- Check the letter before the ending. The letter before -cial is i, a vowel.artific + ial
- Write the answer. artificial
Check. artificial follows the vowel rule. ✓
Method. Use the meaning, then learn the spelling.
- Use the meaning. Tastes very good is delicious.tastes very good
- Write the spelling. Delicious is spelt with -cious, and it is learned on its own.delicious
- Write the answer. delicious
Check. delicious has the letters c, i, o, u, s. ✓