How to spell ancient
A Year 5 and 6 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
ancient
A-N-C-I-E-N-T
The part to watch: an + cient, with ci saying sh. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
The middle of ancient sounds like "sh", but it is spelt ci. It is not ti or sh.
Ancient is one of the words on the Year 5 and 6 list with a -tion, -cial or -cient ending. These words end in -tion, -cial or -cient, where ti or ci usually says "sh": men-tion, spe-cial, an-cient. After an s, as in question, -tion says "chun" instead, but the letters stay the same.
Common mistakes with ancient
- Wrong: anchientRight: ancient
- Wrong: anceintRight: ancient
A way to remember it
Ancient ends like efficient and sufficient: -cient.
Ancient in syllables
an · cient
Ancient has 2 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
The ancient Egyptians built huge pyramids.
Ancient on the statutory list
Ancient is on the Year 5 and 6 statutory word list in the national curriculum for England. Children are taught these words in Years 5 and 6, when they are 9 to 11.
Test yourself
A short spelling test that starts with ancient, then nine more words from the Year 5 and 6 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words with a -tion, -cial or -cient ending
These words from the Year 5 and 6 list share the same pattern as ancient.
More words
Questions parents ask
Which other words end -cient like ancient?
Sufficient, efficient and proficient also end -cient, with ci saying sh. Sufficient is on the same list.
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