How to spell decide
A Year 3 and 4 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
decide
D-E-C-I-D-E
The part to watch: de + cide, where the c says s. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
The s sound in the middle is spelt c, because an i comes after it. It ends with a silent e.
Decide is one of the words on the Year 3 and 4 list with a soft c. The letter c says s when it comes before e, i or y, as in centre, circle and bicycle. Before a, o, u or another consonant it says k.
Common mistakes with decide
- Wrong: desideRight: decide
- Wrong: descideRight: decide
A way to remember it
Decide belongs with decision, which has the same c.
Decide in syllables
de · cide
Decide has 2 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
You can decide which book to read next.
Decide on the statutory list
Decide 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 decide, then nine more words from the Year 3 and 4 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words with a soft c
These words from the Year 3 and 4 list share the same pattern as decide.
More words
Questions parents ask
How do you spell decision?
Decision is the noun from decide. The de at the end of decide changes to sion: d-e-c-i-s-i-o-n, with one s.
Spelling is one part of the picture
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