How to spell recognise
A Year 5 and 6 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
recognise
R-E-C-O-G-N-I-S-E
The part to watch: reco + g + nise, keeping the g. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
Quick speech can drop the g, giving "reconise". Schools in England use the -ise ending.
Recognise is one of the words on the Year 5 and 6 list with a letter you hardly hear. When we speak quickly, a letter or a whole beat gets swallowed. Say the word slowly, the way it is spelt, so every letter has a sound.
Common mistakes with recognise
- Wrong: reconiseRight: recognise
- Wrong: recogniceRight: recognise
A way to remember it
Say "rec-OG-nise" in your spelling voice so you hear the g.
Recognise in syllables
rec · og · nise
Recognise has 3 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
I did not recognise you with your new haircut.
Recognise on the statutory list
Recognise 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 recognise, then nine more words from the Year 5 and 6 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words with a letter you hardly hear
These words from the Year 5 and 6 list share the same pattern as recognise.
More words
Questions parents ask
How do you spell recognition?
Recognition keeps the g: r-e-c-o-g-n-i-t-i-o-n. It can help you remember the g in recognise.
Is it recognise or recognize?
Recognise is the spelling schools in England use, and the one on the national curriculum list. Recognize, with -ize, is the usual American spelling, though some British dictionaries allow it too.
Spelling is one part of the picture
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