A related -ation word
hesitation → hesitantAn -ation word in the same family often means -ant and -ance.
toleration → tolerant, tolerance; observation → observantHomeSpelling guides-ant or -ent?
THE SPELLING NOTEBOOK · 06
-ant or -ent?
Look for a clue.
They sound almost the same. There is no single rule, but a few clues settle most words.
Try a little practice ↓THE RULES, ONE AT A TIME
Look at the word.
Then add the ending.
Soft c, soft g or qu
innocent, intelligentA soft c or g (or qu) just before the ending points to -ent and -ence.
decent; urgent; frequentA clear “e” in a relative
confidential → confidentIf a related word has a clear e sound there, use -ent.
residential → resident; presidential → presidentAdjective and noun match
important → importance-ant goes with -ance, and -ent goes with -ence.
distant → distance; patient → patienceExceptions to remember
After a hard c or g, it is -ant: significant, elegant. Many common words follow no clue and just need learning: assistant, relevant, excellent, dependent, independent. The -ation clue has exceptions too: presentation → present. British English also separates dependant (a person, noun) from dependent (adjective).
A LITTLE PRACTICE GOES A LONG WAY
Which spelling is right?
Use the rules above, then check your answers.
Teacher answer key
- hesitation → hesitant
- innocent
- observation → observant
- confidential → confident
- elegant
- important → importance
A note for the grown-ups.
Rules summarised from the Department for Education’s English spelling appendix. Examples and practice are original site copy, checked against the ENABLE2K word list. Spelling rules have exceptions; check unfamiliar words in a dictionary.