Words ending in -ant or -ent
In a nutshell
The suffixes '-ant' and '-ent' are used for nouns describing a person or thing that does something, for example a contestant or a resident. These endings are also used in adjectives, for example, excellent or hesitant. Words ending in '-ant' and '-ent' both make an 'unt' sound so they are easily confused. In this summary, you'll learn how to spell words ending in '-ent' and '-ant'.
The suffix '-ent'
The suffix '-ent' is generally used following a soft 'c', 'g' or 'qu' sound.
Examples
Frequent | Indulgent | Innocent |
Words with an 'id' sound
The suffix '-ent' is also used in nouns and adjectives following the sound 'id'.
Examples
Confident
| Accident
| Incident
| Evident
|
Verbs ending with 'er' or 'ere'
The suffix '-ent' is used to change verbs which end in 'er' or 'ere' into adjectives.
Examples
Differ becomes different. | Cohere becomes coherent.
|
The suffix 'ant'
The suffix '-ant' is used following most other sounds.
Examples
Assistant | Ignorant | Observant
| Brilliant
|
Verbs ending with '-ate' and '-ation'
Use the '-ant' ending for words ending in '-ate' and '-ation'.
Examples
Observation becomes observant.
| Expectation becomes expectant.
| Migrate becomes migrant.
| Hesitate becomes hesitant. |
Words ending with 'y'
The '-ant' suffix can also be used to change verbs ending with 'y' into adjectives. The 'y' usually changes to an 'i' in these adjectives.
Examples
Defy becomes defiant. | Rely becomes reliant.
| Comply becomes compliant.
| Vary becomes variant.
|
Tip: Some words do not follow these rules and you must simply learn how to spell them!