How to spell communicate
A Year 5 and 6 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
communicate
C-O-M-M-U-N-I-C-A-T-E
The part to watch: a double m. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
Communicate has a double m, although you only hear one. Everything else is spelt as it sounds.
Communicate is one of the words on the Year 5 and 6 list with a double letter at the start. Many long words begin ac, ag, ap, at, com, cor, im, oc, op, suf or sug with a doubled consonant. Most began as a prefix joined to a root, and the letter doubled where the two met.
Common mistakes with communicate
- Wrong: comunicateRight: communicate
- Wrong: communcateRight: communicate
A way to remember it
Communicate, community and common all have a double m.
Communicate in syllables
com · mu · ni · cate
Communicate has 4 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
Dolphins communicate using clicks and whistles.
Communicate on the statutory list
Communicate 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 communicate, then nine more words from the Year 5 and 6 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words with a double letter at the start
These words from the Year 5 and 6 list share the same pattern as communicate.
More words
Questions parents ask
How do you spell communication?
Drop the e of communicate before -ion: communication. The double m stays.
Spelling is one part of the picture
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