HFCC Learning Lab
Words, 2.81
The Four Most Useful Rules for Spelling
Explanation:
Rule 1: when the sound is a long ee, write i before e except after c .
Examples: believe, receive. Exceptions: leisure, seized, neither, either, etc. (when the sound is like a long aa, write e before i as
in neighbor or weigh.)
Directions: Insert in the blanks the correct form, ie or ei
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
ach
rel
con
perc
p
ve
ve
ve
ve
ce
Rule 2: Words of one syllable, and words accented on the last syllable ending in one consonant preceded by one vowel, double
the final consonant before a suffix beginning with a vowel. The rule applies to more than three thousand words.
Directions: Form derivatives from the following words, doubling the final consonant, or not doubling it, according to rule 2.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
plan
feel
shin
green
sad
(add –ing)
(add –ing)
( add –ed)
(add –est)
(add –en)
Rule 3: Words ending in silent e drop the e when a suffix beginning with a consonant is added. However, after c or g the e is
retained if the suffix begins with a or o to preserve the soft sound of the c or g. Exceptions: useable, moveable, loveable.
Directions: Form derivatives from the following words, striking out the final e or not striking it out, according to rule 3.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
use
(add –ing)
hope
( add –less)
use
(add –ful)
deplore (add –able)
like
(add –ly)
Rule 4: Nouns or verbs ending in y preceded by a consonant change y to i and add –es to form the plural (or the third person
singular, present tense); other nouns and verbs ending in the y form the plural (or the third person) the usual way.
Directions: Change nouns to the plural and verbs to the third person singular, present tense, by striking out the y or not striking it
out, according to rule 4.
1. lady
2. valley
3. journey
4. carry
5. boy
Answers
Rule 1:
1.achieve
2.relieve
3.conceive
4.perceive
5.piece
Rule 2:
1.planning
2.feeling
3.shinned
4.greenest
5.sadden
Rule 3:
1.using
2.hopeless
3.useful
4.deplorable
5.likely
Rule 4:
1.ladies
2.valleys
3.journeys
4.carries
5.boys