How to spell sincere
A Year 5 and 6 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
sincere
S-I-N-C-E-R-E
The part to watch: a soft c, and it ends -ere. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
Sincere has a c that says s, and ends -ere, like here.
Sincere is one of the words on the Year 5 and 6 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.
Common mistakes with sincere
- Wrong: sinsereRight: sincere
- Wrong: sincearRight: sincere
A way to remember it
Sincere ends like here and mere: sin + cere.
Sincere in syllables
sin · cere
Sincere has 2 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
She gave a sincere apology.
Sincere on the statutory list
Sincere is on the Year 5 and 6 statutory word list in the national curriculum for England, printed there as sincere(ly). Children are taught these words in Years 5 and 6, when they are 9 to 11.
From the same entry
Test yourself
A short spelling test that starts with sincere, then nine more words from the Year 5 and 6 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words with a soft c
These words from the Year 5 and 6 list share the same pattern as sincere.
More words
Questions parents ask
How do you spell sincerity?
Drop the e of sincere before -ity: sincerity.
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