Basic Spelling Rules
Very few spelling rules exist without exceptions. However the following are rules that apply to a
large number of words. You will be responsible for using correct spelling in your writing
assignments. Most writing rubrics show an area for “Conventions” that stresses correct spelling
besides proper punctuation and grammar. Learn these basic rules, and you should make fewer
mistakes and improve your rubric writing scores.
Suffixes
Double the Final Consonant
1. Double the final consonant of a word that ends with a single vowel and consonant
before adding a suffix that begins with a vowel. (get/getting)
2. Double the final consonant of a word that is accented on the final syllable and ends
with single vowel and consonant before adding a suffix that begins with a vowel.
(permit/permitted)
Words Ending in Silent e
3. Drop the final silent e before adding a suffix that begins with a vowel. (have/having)
4. Keep the final silent e when adding a suffix that begins with a consonant. (late/lately)
Words Ending in y
5. Change the y to i when adding a suffix to words that end in vowel –y, unless the suffix
begins with i. (try/tried)
6. Do not change the y to i when adding a suffix to words that end in vowel –y.
(play/played)
Plurals
7. Add s to most nouns to form plurals. (friend/friends)
8. Add es to nouns that end with s, ss, ch, or x. (box/boxes, class/classes)
9. Change the y to i and add es to nouns that end in consonant –y. (country/countries)
10. Add s to nouns that end in vowel –y. (key/keys)
11. Change the f or fe to v and add es to some nouns that end in f or fe. (half/halves, knife, knives)
12. Some nouns change their spellings to form the plural. (foot/feet)
13. Some nouns are spelled the same for both singular and plural. (sheep/sheep)
SAVE THIS ALL YEAR!