Spelling Rules
Some important rules to make spelling easy are:
1. One-syllable words ending in single vowel + single consonant double the consonant before a suffix beginning with a vowel:
beg + ed = begged, rob + er = robber, sad + est = saddest , runing running =but: wish + ed = wished (two consonants) fearing fearing (two vowels)
2. Words of two or three syllables ending in single vowel + single consonant double the final consonant if the last syllable is stressed:
begin + ing beginning, occur+ed occurred, permit + ed = permitted, on sob control + er = controller.
3. The consonant is not doubled if the last syllable is not stressed: benefit +ed = benefited, suffer + ing = suffering.
Exceptions: These words are exceptions: worship, kidnap, handicap. worship + ed = worshipped, kidnap + er = = kidnapper .
4. If the word to which the suffix ful is added ends in ll, the second / is dropped: skill + ful = skilful, will+ful = wilful.
5. Words ending in silent e drop the e before a suffix beginning with a vowel: live+ing-living, hope + ing hoping.
6. Words ending inie change the ie to y when ing is added: die- dying, tie- tying.
7. In words ending in a consonant + y, the y changes to ie before -s and to i before -ed, -er, -est and ly.
Examples: lady +ies = ladies, worry + ed =worried, funny + er =funnier, easy+ est =easiest.
The y does not change if it comes after a vowel letter.
Examples: play + s = plays, play+ed =played, play+er =player,play +ing = playing
Exceptions: pay + ed = paid, say+ed =said, gay + ly = gaily.
The y does not change before -ing.
Examples: trying trying flying flying = marry+ing marrying
Final ie changes to y before -ing. Examples: die + ing dying, lie+ ing = lying.
Note: Some of the words which retain (u) drop it (u) ending is added; humorous, vigorous, rigorous, odorous, laborious, honorary (but, 'honourable').
The ending -ar, -er, -re, -able, -ible, -ent, -ant, -ceed and - cede are quite confusing, and there are no rules to decide when to use one or another. They, therefore, should be learnt by experience and practice.
Some common words with confusing endings are:
-able: acceptable, excitable, lovable, manageable, likeable, admirable, notable, noticeable, peaceable, agreeable, inflammable, comparable, applicable, desirable, despicable, invaluable, reputable, valuable, respectable, workable, profitable, practicable, reliable, recoverable, etc.
-ant: abundant, accountant, arrogant, assistant, defiant, dominant, constant, attendant, peasant, ignorant, important, instant, resonant, consonant, relevant, remnant, reliant, reluctant, stagnant, tenant, vacant, peasant, pleasant, vagrant, etc.
-ar: altar, collar, polar, beggar, dollar, registrar, burglar, regular, grammar, lunar, similar, solar, calendar, cellar, pedlar, peculiar, pillar, circular, vicar, pillar, etc.
-ent: absent, confident, competent, coherent, convenient, patient, indolent, excellent, evident, eminent, pertinent, permanent, prudent, present, supplement, salient, prominent, president, potent, parent, incident, existent, obedient, violent, etc.
-er: alter, adventurer, miner, employer, explorer, farmer, gardener, robber, biographer, character, clever, leather, draper, lawyer, manner, cricketer, messenger, traveller, juggler, seller, stationer, etc.
-ible: accessible, audible, responsible, visible, invisible, invincible, terrible, horrible, negligible, indelible, defensible, combustible, flexible, legible, illegible, sensible, possible, susceptible, etc.
-re: acre, lustre, metre, calibre, massacre, sceptre, centre, meagre, sombre, theatre, fibre, mediocre, etc.
Spelling of some Words which are difficult to remember:
Ø Abattoir-One B and two Ts. Abbreviate-Two Bs
Ø Aberration-One B and two Rs.
Ø Abeyance-Note the Y. Abhorred-Two Rs.
Ø Abridgment-No E after G.
Ø Abscess-SC together. Absence-S alone.
Ø Absinth-No final E as in French.
Ø Abundance-ance not ence.
Ø Abysmal-From Abyss but only one S.
Ø Academy-Not amy.
Ø Accede-Beware comparison with exceed.
Ø Accelerate-Two Cs and one L.
Ø Accept-Beware comparison with Except.
Ø Access-Beware comparison with Excess.
Ø Accessary is a noun. Accessory an adj.
Ø Accessible-Not -able.
Ø Acclimatize-Not -ise.
Ø Baggage-Not -idge.
Ø Bail (giving security) but Bale (bundle).
Ø Bailiff-Mind the first I. See Bail.
Ø Balloon-Two Ls and two Os.
Ø Ballot-One T and no E. But Ballet, a dance.
Ø Banjo-Plural Banjoes.
Ø Bankruptcy-Do not omit the T.
Ø Banns (marriage)-Two Ns.
Ø Contagion-Not zion.
Ø Contentious-Note the T.
Ø Convalescence-SC.
Ø Elizabethan-Not -ean.
Ø Embarrass-Two Rs and two Ss.
Ø Enamel but Enamelling.
Ø Enemy-Not two Ns.
Ø Engagement-Not GM.
Ø Enlarge and Enlargement
Ø Gasoleine-Not liene.
Ø Gastronomic-Not mik.
Ø Gate (fence door) but Gait (a walk).
Ø Gauge but Gauging.
Ø Ghetto-H.
Ø Outrageous-GE.
Ø Overrate-Two Rs.
Ø Overwhelm-H.
Ø Palaeography-Note the diphthong.
Ø Palliasse-Two Ls and two Ss.
Ø Retrieve-1 before E. Reversible- Not -able.
Ø Rheumatism-HEU.
Ø Succumb-Never omit the silent b.
Ø Tenement-Not Tena-.
Ø Theatre-Not -er.
Ø Ubiquitous-Not tus
Ø Vermilion-One L.
Ø Viscount-Do not omit the S, although not sounded.
Ø Wagon or Waggon, either correct.
Ø Waive (to go by default) but Wave (of the sea).
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