Spelling Rules

Spelling Rules
words that end in silent -e
• when adding an ending (suffix) that begins with a vowel (-ing), drop the silent -e make—making explore—exploring
• when the ending (suffix) begins with a consonant (-s), keep the -e make—makes explore—explores

Spelling Rules
“i” before “e”“i” before “e”
• write i before e, except after c or when sounded like –ay as in neighbor or weigh believe achieve

Spelling Rules
letter qletter q
· in English words, the letter q is always followed by u quack queen quick

Spelling Rules
letter vletter v
· English words do not end with the letter v live gave dove

Spelling Rules
one-syllable word endingsone-syllable word endings
• when a one-syllable word ends with a short vowel and has a single consonant, you double the final consonant before adding the suffix run-running hit-hitting

Spelling Rules
two-syllable word endingstwo-syllable word endings
• in a two-syllable word, you double the final consonant if the word is accented on the last syllable ópen-opening begín-beginning

Spelling Rules
words that end with a consonant and –ywords that end with a consonant and –y
• change the -y to an “i” then add the ending (suffix) merry-merrily Ø if the suffix begins with “i”, keep the –y hurry-hurrying

Spelling Rules
words that end with a vowel and –ywords that end with a vowel and –y
• if a word that ends with a vowel and –y, do not change the –y to an “i” say-saying