Why is "collection" spelled this way?

Discover the logic behind this word and learn how understanding spelling patterns can transform your writing confidence.

collection

col•lec•tion

Step 1: Syllable Breakdown

colRule: Schwa sound in unstressed syllablesSpelling rules applied: Schwa sound in unstressed syllables

lecAll first soundsEach letter makes their first sound.

tionRule: TI, CI, SI only at syllable start, not word start, O makes schwa before W, TH, M, N, VSpelling rules applied: TI, CI, SI only at syllable start, not word start, O makes schwa before W, TH, M, N, V

Step 2: Words Spelt From collection

lect= To gather or choose.

Step 3: Putting It All Together

collection- A group of things gathered together.

Spelling Notes

Let's break down 'collection' into syllables: 'col-lec-tion'. Notice the 'tion' at the end. Rule 16 tells us that 'TI' can only be found at the start of a syllable within a word, never at the beginning of the whole word. This helps us remember that 'tion' is a common ending for words, and it always appears within the word, not at the very beginning.

Breaking words down into their syllables and analyzing why a word is spelled the way it is will drive you to be a better all-around speller, not just learning this single word. This is what strong spellers do subconsciously.

Master Spelling Logic Like This

Imagine understanding the logic behind thousands of words, not just memorizing them. Spell Sharp teaches you the patterns, rules, and roots that make English spelling logical and predictable.

Learn 90% of English spelling patterns

AI-powered personalized learning

See results in just 10 minutes a day