Basic Details
Word: Assertive
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Confident enough to say what you think or want clearly and firmly, without being rude.
Synonyms: confident, firm, bold
Antonyms: timid, shy, meek
How to Spell Assertive
Syllables: as - ser - tive
Tricky part: Students often forget the double s, and some drop the final e, writing assertiv.
Watch out for: asertive, assertiv, assertave
Memory tip: Picture an assertive girl standing tall beside her friend: the two s's stand side by side near the start, as-s-ertive.
Usage Examples
Example 1: Be assertive and tell the shopkeeper the packet you bought was damaged.
Example 2: Our class monitor is assertive but always polite.
Example 3: Learning to be assertive helped Tara say no to extra chores at the wrong time.
Fun Fact
People who study communication often describe three styles: passive, aggressive and assertive. The assertive style is firm but respectful.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word: assertive
a) bold
b) forceful
c) confident
d) timid
Show answer
d) timid. An assertive person speaks up, while a timid person is too shy to.
Spell-o-Spell
Choose the correctly spelt word:
a) assertive
b) agressive
c) persuasiv
d) decisieve
Show answer
a) assertive. Assertive is right; aggressive needs two g's, decisive has no extra e and persuasive keeps its final e.
Mingle-Mangle
Form a meaningful word from the jumbled letters:
tsieavres
a) assertive
b) assistive
c) assertion
d) abrasive
Show answer
a) assertive. Assertion needs an o and an n, and assistive needs two i's, so assertive is the answer.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. How might an assertive child ask for a turn on the swing?
a) Saying nothing at all
b) Crying in a corner
c) "I would like a turn now, please."
d) Pushing the other child off the swing
Show answer
c) "I would like a turn now, please."
2. How is being assertive different from being rude?
a) It means never speaking.
b) It means shouting loudly.
c) It means always agreeing.
d) It is firm but respectful.
Show answer
d) It is firm but respectful.
