How to spell conscience
A Year 5 and 6 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
conscience
C-O-N-S-C-I-E-N-C-E
The part to watch: con + science. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
Conscience is simply science with con in front. The sc says "sh" here. It is the voice inside you that knows right from wrong.
Conscience is one of the words on the Year 5 and 6 list with a smaller word behind it. Each of these words is built from, or related to, a smaller word you may already know. Find the smaller word and most of the spelling follows.
Common mistakes with conscience
- Wrong: concienceRight: conscience
- Wrong: conscenceRight: conscience
A way to remember it
Con + science. Both words come from the Latin for "I know": your conscience knows what is right.
Conscience in syllables
con · science
Conscience has 2 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
My conscience told me to own up about the broken vase.
Conscience on the statutory list
Conscience 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 conscience, then nine more words from the Year 5 and 6 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words with a smaller word behind it
These words from the Year 5 and 6 list share the same pattern as conscience.
More words
Questions parents ask
What is the difference between conscience and conscious?
Conscience, a noun, is the feeling that tells you right from wrong. Conscious, a describing word, means awake and aware: "The patient is conscious." Both start c, o, n, s, c.
Spelling is one part of the picture
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