Chapter 2 : Simple Rules of Spelling
Topics covered in this snack-sized chapter:
Learning and using rules can improve your spelling.
- Many of the rules apply to small number of words.
- Almost every rule has exceptions.
A speech sound produced without diverting, or obstructing the flow of air from the lungs.
Includes the following:
A speech sound produced with diverting, or obstructing the flow of air from the lungs.
Includes the following:
- B, C, D, F, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W, X, Y, Z
A word that ends with the sound of "v" is spelled with the letters "ve" at its end.
Example:
The Letter "i" Comes Before "e" Except After "c" arrow_upward
The letter "i" comes before "e" except after "c".
Example:
There are several exceptions to this rule:
Drop the final silent "e" when adding a suffix that begins with a vowel.
Example:
- Creative + ity = Creativity
Keep the final silent "e" when adding a suffix that begins with a consonant.
Example:
- Measure + ment = Measurement
- Definite + ly = Definitely
When a word ends with "y" preceded by a consonant, form the plural of the word by changing the "y" to "i" and adding "es".
Example:
The letter "q" in a word is followed by "u".
Example:
Do not change the spelling of a word when adding a prefix to it.
Example:
One-Syllable Word Ends in a Vowel Followed by a Consonant arrow_upward
When a one-syllable word ends in a vowel followed by a consonant, double the final consonant when adding a suffix.
Example:
Often, i comes before e.
- Example: belief, chief, review.
If the i and e follow c, they usually reverse.
- Example: ceiling, conceive, receive.
If you have consonant + final y, change the y
to i
when you add any suffix except one beginning with i:
If you have vowel + final y
, keep the y
when you add a suffix:
Nouns end in ‘-us’.
Adjectives end in ‘-ous’
Example:
When a word ends in '-ie' change to '-y' before adding '-ing'
Example:
Most words add ‘s’ to the root forms without any change.
Words ending in -sh, -ch, -ss, -x, and -z, usually add -es to form the plural.
Some words ending in -f change the -f to -v and add –es.
Some singular words have different words for their plural form
A letter or a syllable placed after a word to form a new word is called a suffix.
Many words are formed by adding -ed and -ing without any change.
- Furnish - Furnished – Furnishing
Words ending in a silent –e, drop the -e before adding -ed and -ing
Words ending in a consonant and –y, change the -y to -i before adding -ed, but do not make any change before adding –ing
Words ending in a vowel and –y, add -ed and -ing without making any other change
- Delay – Delayed – Delaying
Singular nouns form the possessive by adding an apostrophe and s.
Plural nouns that end in s add only an apostrophe to form the possessive.
Plural nouns that do not end in s add the apostrophe and s to form the possessive.
“When Two Vowels Go Walking, the First One Does the Talking”
When there are two vowels in a row, the first usually has a long sound and the second is silent.
To spell a short vowel sound, only one letter is needed.
To spell a long sound usually add a second vowel.
Make sure that you are pronouncing words correctly.
This can help you to avoid some spelling errors, such as “jewelery”
instead of “jewelry”