Spelling rule
Soft c and soft g
c usually says 'k' and g usually says 'g'. Before e, i or y they usually go soft: c says 's' and g says 'j'.
How it works
- 1
c before e, i or y says 's'
- centre
- century
- certain
- circle
- bicycle
- decide
- recent
- notice
- exercise
- sentence
- 2
g before e, i or y often says 'j'
- giant
- energy
- vegetable
- privilege
- average
- language
- 3
To keep a g hard before e or i, add a u
- guess
- guide
- guitar
- guest
- 4
-dge after a short vowel, -ge after a long one
- knowledge
- bridge
- badge
- huge
- change
- page
Watch out
- Keep the e when adding -able or -ous, so the c or g stays soft: noticeable, courageous.
Words to practise
Years 3 and 4 statutory words
- centre
- century
- certain
- circle
- bicycle
- decide
- recent
- notice
- exercise
- medicine
- sentence
- knowledge
- guide
Years 5 and 6 statutory words
- sacrifice
- necessary
- criticise
- vegetable
- privilege
- average
- language
Practise a few minutes a day
The daily spelling workout brings back the words your child finds tricky, and shows you which rules they need to revisit.