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!