Key learning points

1. The suffixes -ant and -ance are used if there is a related word with the 'a' or 'ay' sound in the right position.
2. Changing the -ant suffix to -ance can change the word from an adjective to an abstract noun.
3. The suffix -ant sometimes becomes -ancy, e.g. pregnant-pregnancy.
4. Examples of words that do not follow the above guidance and just need to be learned: assistant-assistance.
5. How to spell the curriculum words: nuisance, sincere and guarantee.

Keywords

• Suffix - a letter or group of letters added to the end of a word to change its meaning

• Root word - the base word from which other words are formed often by adding prefixes or suffixes

• Abstract noun - a type of noun that names an idea or quality that cannot be seen

• Adjective - describes a noun

• Noun - a naming word for a person, place or thing

Common misconception