Spelling Rules
A few patterns make English spelling easier and more predictable.
| Rule | Example |
|---|---|
| "i before e, except after c" | believe, receive |
| drop silent e before -ing | make → making |
| double the final consonant after a short vowel | run → running |
| change y → i before most endings | happy → happiness, carry → carried |
write → writing (drop e)
stop → stopped (double p)
study → studied (y → i)
When a word ends in a consonant + y, change y → i before adding endings (carry → carried). After a vowel + y, just add the ending (play → played).
Common mistake: Forgetting to double the consonant: "runing" → running; "stoped" → stopped.
✏️ Test Yourself
1. write + ing
2. stop + ed
3. study + ed
4. happy + ness
📒 Words to learn
Meaning — Keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties.
“The security guards remained vigilant throughout the night.”
Meaning — To delay or postpone something.
“We had to put off the meeting until next week.”
Meaning — To reveal a secret or disclose confidential information.
“She spilled the beans about the surprise party.”
Meaning — Able to recover quickly from difficult conditions.
“The resilient community rebuilt their town after the flood.”
Meaning — To deliberately ignore someone or treat them in an unfriendly way.
“He gave me the cold shoulder after our argument.”