How to spell certain
A Year 3 and 4 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
certain
C-E-R-T-A-I-N
The part to watch: a soft c, and it ends -ain. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
The first sound is s, but it is spelt c. The end sounds like "tn", yet it is spelt tain.
Certain is one of the words on the Year 3 and 4 list with a soft c. The letter c says s when it comes before e, i or y, as in centre, circle and bicycle. Before a, o, u or another consonant it says k.
Common mistakes with certain
- Wrong: certinRight: certain
- Wrong: sertainRight: certain
- Wrong: certianRight: certain
A way to remember it
Certain has "tain" at the end, just like captain and mountain.
Certain in syllables
cer · tain
Certain has 2 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
Are you certain you locked the door?
Certain on the statutory list
Certain is on the Year 3 and 4 statutory word list in the national curriculum for England. Children are taught these words in Years 3 and 4, when they are 7 to 9.
Test yourself
A short spelling test that starts with certain, then nine more words from the Year 3 and 4 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words with a soft c
These words from the Year 3 and 4 list share the same pattern as certain.
More words
Questions parents ask
How do you spell certainly?
Certainly is certain + ly, with nothing changed. Certainty is certain + ty.
Spelling is one part of the picture
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