A4

Spelling Rules

When adding ing to words that end with a single e, DROP the e.

come + ing = coming argue + ing = arguing

take + ing = taking hope + ing = hoping
write + ing = writing love + ing = loving

When adding ing to words that end with a double e, DON'T drop the e.

agree + ing = agreeing free + ing = freeing

disagree + ing = disagreeing see + ing = seeing

When adding ly to words that end with e, KEEP the e.

lone + ly = lonely accurate + ly = accurately

immediate + ly = immediately home + ly = homely
wise + ly = wisely rude + ly = rudely

Exceptions: one= only, whole = wholly, due=duly, and true=truly

When adding ly, ness, ed, or ful to words that end in y, change the y to an i, unless the words have a singular vowel
before the final y. But when adding ing, keep the y.

ing
fancy + ing = fancying party + ing = partying

ly
lonely + ness = loneliness weary + ly = wearily
happy + ness = happiness angry + ly = angrily

ful ed
fancy + ful = fanciful fancy + ed = fancied

singular vowel before y ending

toy + ing = toying joy + ous = joyous
toy + ed = toyed joy + ful = joyful

For nouns ending in y preceded by a consonant, change the y to i and add es

parties studies companies minorities

When adding ed, ing, or er to one syllable verbs that end in a single consonant with a single vowel preceding the
consonant, double the final consonant. Exception: words ending in w, x, or y. Another way to remember this rule:
If a word has a short vowel sound and does not end in e, double the consonant before adding ing or ed.

pat + ed = patted pat + ing = patting

beg + ed = begged beg + ing = begging
rub + ed = rubbed rub + ing = rubbing

Center for Transformative Learning

Peer Consultation
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 A4
Exceptions:
flow + ed = flowed flow + ing = flowing
pray + ed = prayed pray + ing = praying
vex + ed = vexed vex + ing = vexing

When adding a suffix to words that end with ic, change the ending to ick.

frolic + ing = frolicking panic + ing = panicking

mimic + ing =mimicking picnic + ing = picnicking

When adding able or ible endings to a word, check to see if the root is a full word. If it is, use able. If it isn't, use ible.

eatable horrible
drinkable permissible
readable
.
When adding ous or able to words that end in ce or ge, keep the e.

change + able = changeable outrage + ous = outrageous

notice + able = noticeable courage + ous = courageous

For nouns ending in y following a vowel, form the plural by adding s.

toys attorneys days highways plays

boys trays rays moneys monkeys

For nouns ending in o preceded by a consonant, form the plural by adding es.

potatoes Negroes heroes vetoes tomatoes

Exceptions: pianos, sopranos, and altos

For nouns ending in o preceded by a vowel, form the plural by adding s.

radios studios

I before E except after C.

Exceptions:

E before I: caffeine, codeine, counterfeit, either, foreign, forfeit, height, heir, leisure, neither, protein, their, weird

I before E: science, society, ancient, conscience, deficient, efficient, glacier, proficient, species, sufficient

Words which have the long a sound are spelled ei : weigh, neighbor, sleigh, reins, reign

Center for Transformative Learning

Peer Consultation
Stephenson Hall CPO 2136 x3404