Sentence or Sentance: Which Is Correct?
Updated · Which One Is Correct editorial team
Quick answer: When writing, the word sentence is correct, while sentance is a common misspelling that should be avoided. A sentence is a complete thought expressed with words, whereas a sentance does not exist in standard English. Understanding this distinction helps ensure your communication remains clear and professional for every reader you reach.
The Short Answer
The word sentence is the correct spelling, while sentance is a misspelling that is not accepted in standard English.
People often confuse these two words because they sound exactly the same and the letters n and t are close together alphabetically.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Form | Status | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
| sentence | Correct | When expressing a complete thought |
| sentance | Incorrect | Never use this spelling |
| noun | Part of speech | Refers to a grammatical unit |
| verb | Part of speech | Refers to an action or state |
Correct Example Sentences
- He received a sentence from the judge for his actions.
- The sentence structure was complex but easy to follow.
- Every sentence should end with a period.
- Her sentence was clear and concise.
- The teacher wrote a sentence on the board.
- Please write a sentence about your favorite hobby.
- The long sentence made the paragraph difficult to read.
- A good sentence conveys one main idea.
- The jury delivered a sentence that everyone understood.
- Fixing the sentence improved the overall flow.
Common Mistakes and Fixes
- Please send me the sentance for the meeting.
- Please send me the sentence for the meeting.
- I wrote a sentance about my day.
- I wrote a sentence about my day.
- The sentance was too long to understand.
- The sentence was too long to understand.
- He gave a harsh sentance to the offender.
- He gave a harsh sentence to the offender.
- Check the sentance for errors before publishing.
- Check the sentence for errors before publishing.
- The sentance ended with a question mark.
- The sentence ended with a question mark.
A Quick Test You Can Use
To verify the correct spelling, ask yourself if the word represents a complete grammatical thought ending in a punctuation mark; if it does, use the correct spelling sentence.
Related Word Pairs
- Their/There/They're
- Use their for possession, there for a place, and they're for they are.
- Effect/Affect
- Use affect as a verb when something influences something else, and effect as a noun for a result.
- Desert/Dessert
- Use desert for a dry land or to abandon, and dessert for sweet treats after a meal.
- Principal/Principle
- Use principal for a main thing or school head, and principle for a rule or belief.
- Stationary/Stationery
- Use stationary for something that does not move, and stationery for paper supplies for writing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do people spell it sentance?
People often make this mistake because the word sounds exactly like the correct spelling sentence, and the letters n and t are right next to each other on the keyboard.
Is sentance accepted in any English dictionary?
No standard English dictionary accepts sentance as a valid word, and using it will mark your writing as containing an error.
What is the difference between the two spellings?
The difference lies entirely in the spelling; the sound is identical, but only sentence follows the rules of standard English grammar and orthography.
How can I remember the correct spelling?
Remember that a sentence ends with a period, and the word itself contains an e before the final n, which helps distinguish it from the incorrect spelling.
