English Spelling Rules
Writing (and therefore spelling) is a representation of the spoken word. The spoken word is not a representation of writing. Because accents and pronunciation can change easily and quite quickly, whereas what is written in books and dictionaries remains "fixed" for years, as well as for various historical reasons, there is often little correspondence between spoken English (pronunciation) and written English (spelling). English spelling therefore often appears to be totally illogical. The following rules can help you to decode the mysteries of English spelling. But remember, even the best rules have their exceptions.
Adding -er/est
We make the comparative or superlative forms of short adjectives by adding -er or -est.
Spelling Rule
Just add -er or -est to the end of the adjective, for example:
• quick > quicker > quickest
• great > greater > greatest
• full > fuller > fullest
Exceptions
If the adjective ends in: do this: and add: For example:
consonant + -y change the -y to an -i -er
-est happy > happier > happiest
consonant + -e remove the -e late > later > latest
consonant + vowel + consonant double the last letter hot > hotter > hottest
Note: adjectives ending in -l are regular, except:
cruel > crueller > cruellest
Adding -ing/-ed
Often we need to add -ing or -ed to a verb to make other forms of the verb, for example:
I was talking when John arrived.
Spelling Rule
Just add -ing or -ed to the end of the base verb:
• work > working > worked
• play > playing > played
• open > opening > opened
Exceptions
If the base verb ends in: do this: and add: For example:
consonant + vowel + consonant
and a stressed syllable double the final consonant -ing
-ed stop > stopping > stopped
begin > beginning
tap > tapping > tapped
But, for example:
open > opening > opened
(because no stress on last syllable of open)
consonant + -e remove the -e -ing
-ed phone > phoning > phoned
dance > dancing > danced
make > making
rake > raking > raked
dye > dying > dyed
-ie change the -ie to -y -ing lie > lying
die > dying
nothing -d lie > lied
die > died
yours,...
Y.H.M
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