Spelling Tricks: Mastering the Rules
1. Prefixes:
What are prefixes? Small parts added to the beginning of words to change their meaning.
Rule: Prefixes usually don’t change the spelling of the root word.
- Examples:
- unhappy
- disagree
- rewrite
- Examples:
2. Suffixes:
What are suffixes? Small parts added to the end of words to change their meaning or grammar.
Rules:
Doubling Rule: If a one-syllable word ends with one vowel + one consonant, double the last consonant before adding a vowel suffix (e.g., -ed, -ing).
- Examples: run – running, big – bigger
Dropping the ‘e’ Rule: If a word ends in a silent ‘e’, drop the ‘e’ before adding a vowel suffix.
- Examples: hope – hoping, write – writing
Changing ‘y’ to ‘i’ Rule: If a word ends in a consonant + y, change the ‘y’ to ‘i’ before adding most suffixes (except -ing).
- Examples: happy – happiness, try – tried
3. Doubling Consonants:
- Rule: We often double the last consonant when adding a vowel suffix to a short vowel word that ends in a single consonant.
- Examples: run – running, hop – hopped
4. “i before e” Rule:
Rule: We usually write ‘i’ before ‘e’ (believe, friend). But after ‘c’, it’s ‘e’ before ‘i’ (receive, ceiling).
Exceptions: There are many exceptions! (neighbor, weigh, neither, etc.)
Let’s Practice!
Add the Suffix:
- run + ing = ________
- hope + ful = ________
- happy + ness = ________
Fix the Spelling:
- stoped
- writting
- belive
Remember:
- These are just some common spelling rules. There are always exceptions!
- Use a dictionary if you’re unsure about a word’s spelling.
- The best way to get better at spelling is to read and write often.
