Why is "conference" spelled this way?

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

conference

con•fer•ence

Step 1: Syllable Breakdown

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

ferAll first soundsEach letter makes their first sound.

enceRule: Schwa sound in unstressed syllables, C is soft (s sound) before E, I, Y; hard (k sound) elsewhere, Silent E makes C soft and G softSpelling rules applied: Schwa sound in unstressed syllables, C is soft (s sound) before E, I, Y; hard (k sound) elsewhere, Silent E makes C soft and G soft

Step 2: Words Spelt From conference

fer= To bring or carry.

Step 3: Putting It All Together

conference- A formal meeting for discussion or exchanging views.

Spelling Notes

Break this word into syllables: 'con-fer-ence'. The 'c' at the beginning has a hard 'k' sound because it is followed by an 'o'. The 'e' at the end makes a schwa sound, as vowels in unstressed syllables often do (Rule 28a). Understanding the syllable structure and the 'k' sound of 'c' helps with spelling.

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.

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