How to spell existence
A Year 5 and 6 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
existence
E-X-I-S-T-E-N-C-E
The part to watch: exist + ence. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
Existence is exist + ence, and ends -ence, not -ance.
Existence is one of the words on the Year 5 and 6 list with an -ant, -ance, -ent or -ence ending. The endings -ant and -ent sound almost the same, and so do -ance and -ence. The only reliable way is to learn which one each word takes.
Common mistakes with existence
- Wrong: existanceRight: existence
- Wrong: existenseRight: existence
A way to remember it
Existence is exist + ence: e at the start, e near the end, and e at the end.
Existence in syllables
ex · is · tence
Existence has 3 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
People argue about the existence of the Loch Ness monster.
Existence on the statutory list
Existence 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 existence, then nine more words from the Year 5 and 6 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words with an -ant, -ance, -ent or -ence ending
These words from the Year 5 and 6 list share the same pattern as existence.
More words
Questions parents ask
Is it existence or existance?
Existence. It ends -ence, like insistence and persistence.
Spelling is one part of the picture
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