How to spell competition
A Year 5 and 6 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
competition
C-O-M-P-E-T-I-T-I-O-N
The part to watch: compete + ition, so e and then i. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
Competition is related to compete, so the vowel after p is e. The vowel after t is i, then -tion.
Competition 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 competition
- Wrong: compititionRight: competition
- Wrong: competionRight: competition
A way to remember it
You compete in a competition. Keep the "compe" of compete.
Competition in syllables
com · pe · ti · tion
Competition has 4 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
Our class won the poetry competition.
Competition on the statutory list
Competition 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 competition, 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 competition.
More words
Questions parents ask
How do you spell competitive and competitor?
Drop the e of compete before a vowel ending: competition, competitive, competitor. All three keep compet.
Spelling is one part of the picture
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