General rules

Spelling depends largely on memory. Sound is no guide in recognizing single or double consonants and the rules are so irregular that it is necessary to memorize the exceptions as well as the rules. The best way to learn is to be observant when reading.

These words are frequently misspelled:

Some rules and exceptions are given here.

Words with ei and ie

The jingle 'i before e except after c or when sounded as a as in neighbor and weight' covers the rule.

Exceptions:

Words ending in sede, cede, and ceed

Supersede is the only word ending in sede. Exceed, proceed, and succeed are the only common verbs ending in ceed.

Able and ible endings

There is no basic rule for the able and ible endings, but if there is a corresponding word ending in ation, the ending is usually able; if ending in sion or tion, the ending is more often ible.

Final consonants doubled before a suffix

Double the final consonant in words of one syllable ending in a consonant preceded by a vowel.

Exception:

Do not double the consonant before a suffix beginning with a consonant.

The final consonant is usually doubled in words of more than one syllable ending in a consonant preceded by a vowel, if the accent is on the last syllable and the suffix begins with a vowel.

Exceptions:

Final consonants not doubled before a suffix

For words ending in a consonant preceded by a vowel, and not accented on the last syllable, do not double the final consonant before a suffix beginning with a vowel.

Exceptions:

Certain words with equally accented syllables:

For words ending in a consonant preceded by a vowel, do not double the final consonant before a suffix beginning with a vowel if the accent is shifted to a preceding syllable.

For words ending in a consonant preceded by more than one vowel, do not double the final consonant before a suffix.

Words ending in two or more consonants usually remain unchanged when a suffix is added.

Combinations with all

The final l is usually dropped when all is used as a prefix.

Words ending in e

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

Exceptions:

Words ending in a silent e generally retain the e before a suffix beginning with a consonant.

Exceptions: 1

Words ending in c

For words ending in c with the sound of k, add k before i, y, or e.

Verbs ending in ie

Verbs ending in ie change ie to y before ing.

Words ending in n

When the suffix ness is added to a word ending in n, the original n is retained.