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