How to spell complete
A Year 3 and 4 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
complete
C-O-M-P-L-E-T-E
The part to watch: e, t, e at the end. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
The "ee" sound is made by the e before the t, helped by the silent e at the end. It is not spelt ea.
Complete is one of the words on the Year 3 and 4 list with a silent e at the end. Each of these words ends in an e you do not hear. Remember to write it, and remember it drops before -ing or -ed: complete, completing, completed.
Common mistakes with complete
- Wrong: compleatRight: complete
- Wrong: completRight: complete
A way to remember it
Complete ends like athlete and delete: e, t, e.
Complete in syllables
com · plete
Complete has 2 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
You must complete the puzzle before tea time.
Complete on the statutory list
Complete 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 complete, then nine more words from the Year 3 and 4 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words with a silent e at the end
These words from the Year 3 and 4 list share the same pattern as complete.
More words
Questions parents ask
Does completely keep the e?
Yes. -ly starts with a consonant, so the e of complete stays: completely. It only drops before a vowel, as in completing.
Spelling is one part of the picture
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