Spelling Rules
ELD Class
Introduction - Spelling
“Spelling words correctly in the English
Language can be very difficult. There are
many rules to follow. Let’s start by looking
at some rules and exceptions. Focus on
the patterns since most words do follow
them.
Lesson #1
When a prefix is added to a word, the
spelling of the original word does not
change.
In+secure = insecure
pre+mix =premix
il+legible =illegible
Lesson #1 cont.
When a suffix beginning with a consonant
is added to a word ending in a silent e
usually the silent e is retained.
retire+ment= retirement
Live+ly= lively
grace+ful= graceful
Lesson #1 cont.
Exceptions to the rule.
True+ly = truly
Whole+ly = wholly
Due+ly = duly
Lesson #1 cont.
The silent e is also retained in words
ending in ce or ge when adding a suffix
beginning in an a or o.
Courage+ous= courageous
Service+able = serviceable
Lesson #1 cont.
When a suffix beginning with a vowel is
added to a word ending in silent e,
usually the silent e is dropped.
Adore+able = adorable
love+able =lovable
Now you try 
Underline the word that is spelled
incorrectly. Write the correct spelling on
the line.
1. My mother is really loveable.
2. His paintings are really amazeing.
3. We all need to learn the safty
procedures.
Lesson #2
When adding a suffix to a word ending in y
preceded by a consonant, change the y to
an i then add the suffix.
Ready+ness = readiness
Easy+ly = easily
Lesson #2 cont.
An exception to this rule: When the suffix
itself begins with an i the y does not
change.
Horrify+ing = horrifying
Rely+ing + relying
Lesson #2 cont.
When adding a suffix to a word ending in y
preceded by a vowel, the y usually does
not change.
play+ful = playful
employ+er= employer
Lesson #2 cont.
Exceptions to this rule include.
Day+ly = daily
Pay=ed = paid
Now you try
Choose the correct spelling of each set of
words.
Frying fring
Happiness happyness
Ladies
ladyes
Staing staying
Lesson #3
A prefix is a word part: it is added to the
beginning of a word, which is then known
as the root. When a prefix is added to a
root, the meaning of the word is changed.
This new word combines the meaning of
the prefix and the root. For example, the
prefix un-means “not” or “reverse.” this
prefix may be attached to different root
words.
Lesson #3 cont.
Examples
Untied= not tied
Unequal= not equal
Unfinished= not finished
Unrealistic= not realistic
Lesson #3 cont.
Prefix
Re
Un
Anti
Dis
Sub
Meaning
to do again
not
against
not
under
Example
redo
unknown
antigravity
dishonest
submarine
Lesson 3 cont.
Circle the prefix in each of the following
words. Then using the meanings of the
prefix and the root along with your own
knowledge, write a definition for each
word.
Now you try
1. rewrite _____________________
2.unhappy_____________________
3. antisocial___________________
4. dishonest___________________
5. subnormal ___________________
Lesson #4
A prefix is a word part: it is added to the
beginning of a word, which is then known
as the root. When a prefix is added to a
root, the meaning of the word is changed.
This new word combines the meaning of
the prefix and the root
Lesson #4 cont.
Now you try 
Work on the separate worksheet.
Please do not write on it.
http://www.eslgalaxy.com/prefix/Common%20prefix%20
match.pdf
Lesson # 5
Review lessons 1-4
Lesson #6
Many words in the English language have
word parts from other languages or earlier
forms of English. A root is a part of a word
that carries the word’s core meaning.
Other word parts can be added to a root to
create different words. Learning to
recognize roots help increase your
vocabulary.
Lesson #6 cont.
Work on the separate worksheet.
http://www.edhelper.com/language/word_r
oots6298.html
Lesson #7
A suffix is a word part that can be added
to the end of a root word. Often, adding a
suffix changes not only the part of speech
of the root word, it also changes its
meaning.
Example
Lesson #8
Lesson #8 cont.
Circle the suffix in each of the following.
Then using the meaning of the suffix and
the root, along with your own knowledge,
write a definition for each word.
Cheerful
Lovable
Courageous
Lesson #9
A well known and helpful spelling rule is
expressed in the following rhyme: “I
before e except after c, or when sounded
like ‘a’ as in ‘neighbor’ or ‘weight.’”
Lesson # 9 cont.
This means:
Spell a word with ‘ie’ when the sound
made by that letter combination is long ‘e’,
unless the ‘ie’ combination occurs after a
‘c’.
Examples:
field, grief, niece, believe, brief, relieve
Exceptions to this rule:
either, leisure, neither, seize, weird
Lesson # 9 cont.
Spell a word with ‘ei’ when the sound
made by that letter combination is long ‘e’
and when this sounds occurs after a ‘c’.
Examples:
Receive, ceiling, deceive, perceive
Lesson #9 cont. (2nd day)
Spell a word with ‘ei’ when the sound
made by that letter combination is long ‘a’
Examples:
Heir, veil, weigh, freight, neighbor, reign,
Lesson #9 cont.
Also spell a word with ‘ei’ when the sound
made by that letter combination is NOT
long ‘e’.
Examples:
foreign, height
Some exceptions to this rule:
friend, mischief, view, ancient, die,
science
Now you try 
Underline the correct spelling in each pair
of parenthesis.
1. Drivers must (yield, yeild) to
pedestrians.
2.The movie had a (weird, weird) ending.
3. You need to paint the (ceiling, ceiling.)
Lesson # 9