Spelling Rules
WEeb.in Team English Total Views: 199 Posted: Dec 19, 2019 Updated: May 1, 2024
Spelling Rules
Spelling is the most important part of any language and especially English language as in this every sound is represented by a full alphabet. There is no need to mug up all the spelling, even otherwise it is a tough proportion to do. However there are some set rules of course with some exceptions that can help to write correct spellings. Main spelling rules are as follows:-
Spelling Rule No 1.
In single syllable words ending in single vowel + single consonant double the consonant before a suffix beginning with a vowel.
Example:-
- beg + ed = begged
- rob + er = robber
- run + ing = running
- sad + est =saddest
Spelling Rule No 2.
Words of two or more syllables ending in single vowel + single consonant double the final consonant if the last syllable is stressed.
Example:-
- run + ing = running
- occur + ed = occurred
- control + er = controller
In the above examples last syllable ie n, r and l respectively are stressed
However the consonant is not doubled if the last syllable is not stressed.
Example:-
- benefit + ed = benefited
- Suffer + ing = suffering
There are some exceptional words too like handicap, kidnap and worship to write a few.
- worship + ed = worshipped
- handicap + ed = handicapped
Spelling Rule No 3.
In British English the consonant l is doubled irrespective of the absence of stress on the last syllable.
Example:-
- quarrel + ed = quarrelled
- travel + er = traveler
- distil + er = distiller
Rare Exception to the rule
- Parallel + ed = paralleled
Spelling Rule No 4.
In the words to which the suffix ful is added ends in ll, the second l is dropped.
Example:-
- skill + full = skilful
- will + ful = willful
Spelling Rule No 5.
Word ending in silent e drops the e before a suffix beginning with a vowel.
Example:-
- live + ing = living
- hope + ing = hoping
- drive + er =driver
However e remains as such before a suffix beginning with a consonant.
Spelling Rule No 6.
Some special case of words ending in ce and ge keep the e when adding able and ous.
Example:-
- Notice + able = noticeable
- Peace + able = peaceable
- Change + able = changeable
- Courage + ous = courageous
In these kind of words c and g are pronounced soft before e. Thus the e is retained to avoid confusion with a similar word.
Example:-
- Singe + ing = singeing (should not be confused with singing)
- Swinge + ing = swinging (should not be confused with singing)
Spelling Rule No 7.
Words ending in ee do not drop an e before a suffix.
Example:-
- see + ing = seeing
- agree + ment = agreement
Spelling Rule No 8.
Words ending in ie change the ie to y when ing is added.
- Die = dying
- Tie = tying
- Lie = lying
Spelling Rule No 9.
- 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
Some exception of the Rule No 8 (i) are:-
- carry + ing = carrying
- marry +ing = marrying
2. Whereas a y following a vowel does not change.
- Pray + ed = prayed
- Play + er = player
Some exception of the Rule No 8 (ii) are:-
- pay + ed = paid
- say + ed = said
- lay + ed = laid
Spelling Rule No 10.
When ie or ei is pronounced like ee in jeep, i comes before e except after c.
Example:-
- believe
- receive
- relieve
- receipt
- achieve
- grieve
- deceit
- conceive
- conceit
Some exception of Rule No 9. are
- seize
- protein
- counterfeit
- weird
- surfiet
- plebeian
Download PDF of Spelling Rules