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Spelling Rules

Spelling is the most important part of any language and especially English language as in this every sound is represented by a full alphabet. There is no need to mug up all the spelling, even otherwise it is a tough proportion to do. However there are some set rules of course with some exceptions that can help to write correct spellings. Main spelling rules are as follows:-

 

Spelling Rule No 1.

In single syllable words ending in single vowel + single consonant   double the consonant before a suffix beginning with a vowel.

Example:-

  • beg + ed = begged
  • rob + er = robber
  • run + ing = running
  • sad + est =saddest

 

Spelling Rule No 2.

Words of two or more syllables ending in single vowel + single consonant double the final consonant if the last syllable is stressed.

Example:-

  • run + ing = running
  • occur + ed = occurred
  • control + er = controller

In the above examples last syllable ie n, r and l respectively are stressed

However the consonant is not doubled if the last syllable is not stressed.

Example:-

  • benefit + ed = benefited
  • Suffer + ing   = suffering

There are some exceptional words too like handicap, kidnap and worship to write a few.

  • worship + ed = worshipped
  • handicap + ed = handicapped

 

Spelling Rule No 3.

In British English the consonant l is doubled irrespective of the absence of stress on the last syllable.

Example:-

  • quarrel + ed = quarrelled
  • travel + er = traveler
  • distil + er = distiller

Rare Exception to the rule

  • Parallel + ed = paralleled

 

Spelling Rule No 4.

In the words to which the suffix ful is added ends in ll, the second l is dropped.

Example:-

  • skill + full = skilful
  • will + ful = willful

 

Spelling Rule No 5.

Word ending in silent e drops the e before a suffix beginning with a vowel.

Example:-

  • live + ing = living
  • hope + ing = hoping
  • drive + er =driver

However e remains as such before a suffix beginning with a consonant.

 

Spelling Rule No 6.

Some special case of words ending in ce and ge keep the e when adding able and ous.

Example:-

  • Notice + able = noticeable
  • Peace + able = peaceable
  • Change + able = changeable
  • Courage + ous =  courageous

In these kind of words c and g are pronounced soft before e. Thus the e is retained to avoid confusion with a similar word.

Example:-

  • Singe + ing = singeing (should not be confused with singing)
  • Swinge + ing = swinging (should not be confused with singing)

 

Spelling Rule No 7.

Words ending in ee do not drop an e before a suffix.

Example:-

  • see + ing = seeing
  • agree + ment = agreement

 

Spelling Rule No 8.

Words ending in ie change the ie to y when ing is added.

  • Die = dying
  • Tie = tying
  • Lie = lying 

 

Spelling Rule No 9.

  1. A final y following a consonant changes to i before a suffix except ing.
  • happy + ly = happily
  • carry + ed = carried
  • beauty + ful =beautiful
  • marry + age = marriage

Some exception of the Rule No 8 (i) are:-

  • carry + ing = carrying
  • marry +ing = marrying    

    2. Whereas a y following a vowel does not change.

  • Pray + ed = prayed
  • Play + er = player                                        

Some exception of the Rule No 8 (ii) are:-

  • pay + ed = paid
  • say + ed = said
  • lay + ed = laid                                   

 

Spelling Rule No 10.

When ie or ei is pronounced like ee in jeep, i comes before e except after c.

Example:-

  • believe
  • receive
  • relieve
  • receipt
  • achieve
  • grieve
  • deceit
  • conceive
  • conceit

Some exception of Rule No 9. are

  • seize
  • protein
  • counterfeit
  • weird
  • surfiet
  • plebeian