SPELLING RULES

Final consonant

223. 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

run + ing = running -- sad + est = saddest

but:

wish + ed = wished (two consonants)

fear + ing = fearing (two vowels)

224. 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 -- control + er = controller

The consonant is not doubled if the last syllable is not stressed.

benefit + ed = benefited -- suffer + ing = suffering

These words are exceptions: worship, kidnap, handicap.

worship + ed = worshipped -- handicap + ed = handicapped

kidnap + er = kidnapper

225. In British English the consonant l is doubled, even if the stress does not fall on the

last syllabi

quarrel + ed = quarreled -- signal + ing = signalling

travel + er = traveler -- distil + er = distiller

Note the exception:-

parallel + ed = paralleled

226. If the word to which the suffix ful is added ends in ll, the second l is dropped.

skill + ful = skilful -- will + ful = willful Finale

227. Words ending in silent e drop the e before a suffix beginning with a vowel.

live + ing = living -- move + ed = moved

home + ing = homing -- drive + er = driver

The e remains before a suffix beginning with a consonant,

hope + ful = hopeful

engage + ment = engagement

Note the exceptions:-

true + ly = truly

whole + ly = wholly

due + ly = duly

nine + th = ninth

argue + ment = argument

awe + ful = awful

228. Notice the special case of words ending in ce and ge which keep the e when adding

able and ous.

notice + able = noticeable

peace + able = peaceable

change + able = changeable

courage + ous = courageous

In such words the c and g are pronounced soft before e. Sometimes the e is retained to

avoid confusion with a similar word.

singe + ing = singeing (avoids confusion with singing)

swinge + ing = swingeing (avoids confusion with swinging)

229. Words ending in ee do not drop an e before a suffix.

see + ing = seeing

agree + ment = agreement

230. Words ending in ie change the ie to y when ing is added.

die, dying

tie, tying,

lie, lying

Final y

231. 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

But:

carry + ing = carrying

marry + ing = marrying

But y following a vowel does not change.

pray + ed = prayed

play + er = player

Notice a few exceptions:-

pay + ed = paid

day + ly = daily

say + ed = said

gay + ly = gaily

lay + ed = laid

ie or ei

232. When ie or ei is pronounced like ee in 'jeep', i comes before e except after c.

believe -- receive

relieve -- receipt

achieve -- deceive

grieve -- deceit,

yield -- conceive

field -- conceit

Some exceptions :

Seize -- protein -- counterfeit

Weird -- surfeit – plebeian