How to spell criticise
A Year 5 and 6 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
criticise
C-R-I-T-I-C-I-S-E
The part to watch: critic + ise. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
Criticise is critic + ise. The c stays even though it now says s, and schools in England use the -ise ending.
Criticise 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 criticise
- Wrong: critisiseRight: criticise
- Wrong: critisizeRight: criticise
A way to remember it
A critic is someone who judges. Write critic, then add ise.
Criticise in syllables
crit · i · cise
Criticise has 3 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
It is unkind to criticise someone for trying.
Criticise on the statutory list
Criticise is on the Year 5 and 6 statutory word list in the national curriculum for England, printed there as criticise (critic + ise). 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 criticise, 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 criticise.
More words
Questions parents ask
How do you spell criticism?
Criticism is critic + ism. Like criticise, it keeps the c of critic.
Is it criticise or criticize?
Criticise is the spelling schools in England use, and the one on the national curriculum list. Criticize, with -ize, is the usual American spelling, though some British dictionaries allow it too.
Spelling is one part of the picture
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