Here's a breakdown:
-ance:
* Often used to form nouns from verbs.
* Indicates a state, condition, or action associated with the verb.
* Examples:
* "acceptance" (from "accept") - the state of accepting
* "importance" (from "important") - the quality of being important
* "resistance" (from "resist") - the action of resisting
-ence:
* Often used to form nouns from verbs or adjectives.
* Indicates a state, condition, or action associated with the verb or adjective.
* Examples:
* "confidence" (from "confident") - the state of being confident
* "presence" (from "present") - the state of being present
* "independence" (from "independent") - the state of being independent
Key Points:
* There isn't a hard and fast rule for choosing between "-ance" and "-ence".
* Sometimes the choice is based on the origin of the word (e.g., "attendance" from the Latin "attendere").
* In some cases, both suffixes can be used, with subtle differences in meaning (e.g., "reliance" and "dependence").
Ultimately, the best way to understand the specific meaning of a word ending in "-ance" or "-ence" is to consult a dictionary.