Spelling ce, ci
and cy words - the soft c sound
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Many people make mistakes with these
words: |
The acc words:
These words need the letter c twice -
first to say /k/ and then to say /s/. |
| accelerate |
Good drivers accelerate
carefully. |
| accent |
A Scottish accent is
different to an Irish one. |
| accept |
We're pleased to accept
your invitation. |
| access |
A ramp was built to give wheelchair
access. |
| accessory |
She wore a blue dress with
matching accessories. |
| accident |
A broken ladder caused the
accident. |
| vaccinate |
They have been vaccinated
against measles. |
|
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As you write each word, say it
out loud in separate syllables so that you can hear the /k/
and /s/ sounds very clearly. |
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The succ words:
These words need the letter c twice -
first to say /k/ and then to say /s/. |
| succeed |
I will succeed and
win the gold medal. |
| success |
She was a great success
as a rock singer. |
| successive |
It snowed on five successive
days. |
| successor |
His eldest son will be his
successor as king. |
| succinct |
Your report was clear and
succinct. |
|
|
As you write each word, say it
out loud in separate syllables so that you can hear the /k/
and /s/ sounds very clearly. |
|
|
The exc words:
Even though x ends with the /s/ sound, you still need
c in these words. |
| exceed |
You will be fined if you exceed
the speed limit |
| excel |
Kate excels at gymnastics. |
| excellent |
My old TV still gives an excellent
picture. |
| except |
I love all vegetables except
broccoli. |
| excerpt |
He read an excerpt
from his new book. |
| excess |
There was an excess of noise. |
|
The sc words:
These words use both s and c to say /s/. |
| scene* |
The picture showed a peaceful
country scene. |
| scent* |
The hounds followed the scent
of the fox. |
| science |
Rocket science enabled
space travel. |
| scimitar |
Arab warriors of old fought
with scimitars. |
| scissors |
Good scissors need
to be kept sharp. |
| ascend/ascent |
To ascend is to go
up. |
| descend/descent |
To descend is to go
down |
| crescent |
The moon was in the shape
of a crescent. |
| fascinate |
Our baby is fascinated
by that toy. |
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Use a 'spelling language' to remember
these words: as you write them pronounce the c as /k/. |
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There are several other examples of words that fit in each of the sets above. How many more words can you think of for each?
acce-, succe-, exce, sce- or sci-.
Using a dictionary, can you make your list of words any longer?
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