How to spell determined
A Year 5 and 6 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
determined
D-E-T-E-R-M-I-N-E-D
The part to watch: determine + d. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
Determined is determine + d. The end sounds like "mind", but it is spelt -ined.
Determined is one of the words on the Year 5 and 6 list with a suffix to watch. A suffix is an ending such as -ment, -tion or -ed. Sometimes the root word changes when you add it: a letter is dropped, doubled or swapped.
Common mistakes with determined
- Wrong: determindRight: determined
- Wrong: detirminedRight: determined
A way to remember it
Write determine, which ends in e, then just add d.
Determined in syllables
de · ter · mined
Determined has 3 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
She was determined to finish the race.
Determined on the statutory list
Determined 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 determined, then nine more words from the Year 5 and 6 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words with a suffix to watch
These words from the Year 5 and 6 list share the same pattern as determined.
More words
Questions parents ask
How do you spell determination?
Drop the e of determine before -ation: determination.
Spelling is one part of the picture
The free diagnostic checks maths, English and both kinds of reasoning, and shows what to practise next. No card is required.