Spelling rules - can we tame them?
1. Using I Before E
Use i before e, except after c, or when sounded as "a" as in "neighbour" and "weigh."
EXAMPLES: believe, chief, piece, and thief; deceive, receive, weigh, and freight
COMMON EXCEPTIONS: efficient, weird, height, neither, ancient, caffeine, foreign
2. Dropping the Final E
Drop the final e before a suffix beginning with a vowel (a, e, i, o, u) but not before a suffix beginning with a consonant.
EXAMPLES:
- ride + ing = riding
- guide + ance = guidance
- hope + ing = hoping
- entire + ly = entirely
- like + ness = likeness
- arrange + ment = arrangement
COMMON EXCEPTIONS: truly, noticeable
3. Changing a Final Y to I
Change a final y to i before a suffix, unless the suffix begins with i.
EXAMPLES:
- defy + ance = defiance
- party + es = parties
- pity + ful = pitiful
- try + es = tries
- try + ing = trying
- copy + ing = copying
- occupy + ing = occupying
COMMON EXCEPTIONS: journeying, memorize
4. Doubling a Final Consonant
Double a final single consonant before a suffix beginning with a vowel when both of these conditions exist:
- (a) a single vowel precedes the consonant;
- (b) the consonant ends an accented syllable or a one-syllable word.
EXAMPLES:
- stop + ing = stopping
- admit + ed = admitted
- occur + ence = occurrence
- stoop + ing = stooping
- benefit + ed = benefited
- delight + ful = delightful
Adapted (with English spellings preferred) from Richard Nordquist's About.com guide