How to spell recent
A Year 3 and 4 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
recent
R-E-C-E-N-T
The part to watch: re + cent, where the c says s. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
The s sound in the middle of recent is spelt c, because an e follows it.
Recent 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.
A way to remember it
Recent has "cent" in it, like century. Both use a c that says s.
Recent in syllables
re · cent
Recent has 2 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
The recent storm blew down a tree.
Recent on the statutory list
Recent 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 recent, 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 recent.
More words
Questions parents ask
Is recent the same as resent?
No. Recent, with a c, means not long ago. Resent, with an s, means to feel annoyed about something, and it sounds different: "ri-zent".
Spelling is one part of the picture
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