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Unit 32: Spelling the endings -et -ot -ate -ite

Page 6 of 10

Unit 32: Word endings: -et, -ot, -ate, -ite

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Page 6 of 10

Spelling the endings ate or ite

Teaching point Often, the split digraph i-e and a-e in words means the vowel says its name and therefore the ending is clearly different and we can predict the spelling more readily.

date translate concentrate (long /ā/ sound)
write invite satellite (long /ī/ sound)

In this unit, however, we are focusing on when they create a weak schwa sound and you can no longer hear the difference between -ite and -ate:

Learn word endings et ot ate ite Learn word endings et ot ate ite
chocolate favourite (US: favorite)

There is no clear rule to help you, you must learn the words. Study the table below (you will note that more end -ate than -ite, so it may help to concentrate on learning the -ite endings):

Learn word endings et ot ate ite Learn word endings et ot ate ite
ate as in chocolate ite as in favourite
(US favorite)
accurate
adequate
affectionate
appropriate
approximate
certificate
articulate
chocolate
climate
confederate
considerate
corporate
delegate
deliberate
delicate
desolate
desperate
duplicate
estimate

fortunate
frigate
graduate
immaculate
immediate
legitimate
literate
moderate
numerate
obstinate
passionate
pirate
private
senate
separate
syndicate
temperate
ultimate

composite
definite
exquisite
favourite
(US: favorite)
granite
hypocrite
infinite
opposite
requisite
Learn the Words:
Learn the Words:

Several words ending in -ate are pronounced differently depending on their function in the sentence noun, adjective or verb which can help you spell them. Consider the examples below. It helps to say them aloud:

Nouns or adjectives,
with the schwa sound:
/Ə/
Verbs, with the long /ā/ sound.
They sleep in separate beds. Can you separate those fighting dogs?
Please give me an estimate
for the work.
I estimate we'll land in forty minutes.
I need a duplicate copy of
the invoice.
I'll duplicate it for you.
This job is only open to graduates. She will graduate next year.
Many delegates attended the conference. I delegate the responsibility to you.

You have not completed Learn the Words activities for each word list on this page.

next part of the spelling course
Take a test in the -ite words.

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