Basic English | Correct spelling for writing well
When writing, we sometimes forget the basic rules.
When an ending (suffix ) is added to a word, the spelling of the word usually changes. Below are the following examples:
Words of one syllable
If a suffix that begins with a vowel (-ed, -ing, -er, -est) is added to a word that has one syllable, and if the last three letters of the word follow the pattern of a consonant-vowel-consonant, then the final consonant of the word must be doubled.
EXAMPLE: plan + ed = planned
swim + ing = swimming
run + er =runner
thin + est = thinnest
Words of more than one syllable
When a suffix that begins with a vowel is added to a word of more than one syllable, the final consonant is only doubled if 1. the last three letters of the word follow the pattern of
consonant-vowel-consonant and 2. the accent or stress is on the last syllable.
EXAMPLE: begin + ing = beginning
control + ed = controlled
Words ending in an “e”
When a suffix that begins with a vowel (-ing, -ence, -able) is added to a word, the final -e is normally discarded. However, if the suffix begins with a consonant (-ment, -less, -ly), the final -e usually remains.
EXAMPLE: move + ing = moving
note + able = notable
advertise + ment = advertisement
home + less = homeless
Some exceptions to this rule include the words argument, awful, courageous, judgment, manageable,
noticeable, truly, and simply.
Words ending in a “y”
With the addition of most suffixes to a word that ends in -y, and if the letter before the -y is a consonant, then the -y becomes an -i. However, if the letter before the -y is a vowel, the -y remains without a change.
EXAMPLE: happy + ness = happiness
portray + ed = portrayed
Some notable exceptions are the words daily, laid, paid, and said. Also, any time that -ing is added to a word ending in -y, the -y is not dropped.
EXAMPLE: copy + ing = copying
delay + ing = delaying
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Tags: Basic spelling
