How to spell occasion
A Year 3 and 4 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
occasion
O-C-C-A-S-I-O-N
The part to watch: a double c and one s. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
Occasion has two c letters and only one s. Most mistakes swap them round.
Occasion is one of the words on the Year 3 and 4 list with a double letter. A consonant is doubled somewhere in the word, and that is the part that goes wrong. Say the word slowly and count the doubles before you write it.
Common mistakes with occasion
- Wrong: ocassionRight: occasion
- Wrong: occassionRight: occasion
- Wrong: ocasionRight: occasion
A way to remember it
On a special occasion you get cake and cream (two c letters) but only one sweet (one s).
Occasion in syllables
oc · ca · sion
Occasion has 3 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
A wedding is a special occasion.
Occasion on the statutory list
Occasion is on the Year 3 and 4 statutory word list in the national curriculum for England, printed there as occasion(ally). Children are taught these words in Years 3 and 4, when they are 7 to 9.
From the same entry
Test yourself
A short spelling test that starts with occasion, then nine more words from the Year 3 and 4 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words with a double letter
These words from the Year 3 and 4 list share the same pattern as occasion.
More words
Questions parents ask
How do you spell occasional?
Occasional is occasion + al: double c, one s and one l.
Spelling is one part of the picture
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