How to spell sincerely
A Year 5 and 6 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
sincerely
S-I-N-C-E-R-E-L-Y
The part to watch: sincere + ly, keeping the e. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
Sincerely is sincere + ly. The e at the end of sincere stays, even though you do not hear it.
Sincerely is one of the words on the Year 5 and 6 list with the -ly ending. Most of these words are made by adding -ly to a root word. Spell the root first, then add -ly. A root ending in -le swaps the -le for -ly, as probable becomes probably.
The root, sincere, ends in e, and the e stays before -ly.
Common mistakes with sincerely
- Wrong: sincerlyRight: sincerely
- Wrong: sincerleyRight: sincerely
A way to remember it
Write sincere, all of it, then add ly. "Yours sincerely" ends many letters.
Sincerely in syllables
sin · cere · ly
Sincerely has 3 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
I sincerely hope you feel better soon.
Sincerely on the statutory list
Sincerely 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 sincerely, then nine more words from the Year 5 and 6 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words with the -ly ending
These words from the Year 5 and 6 list share the same pattern as sincerely.
More words
Questions parents ask
When do you write "Yours sincerely"?
When the letter starts with the person's name, such as "Dear Mrs Patel". A letter that starts "Dear Sir or Madam" ends "Yours faithfully".
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