Difference between revisions of "0708-1300/English Spelling"

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===How to Improve Your Spelling===
 
===How to Improve Your Spelling===
 +
1. Keep a notebook of words you find difficult to spell. Underline the part of the word that you find most difficult.
 +
2. Use a dictionary, not a spell-checker! OK use a spell-checker, but don't rely on it. Spell-checkers don't check for meaning, the most common misspelt words I have seen on the net are there and their.
 +
3. Learn words with their possible prefixes and suffixes.
 +
4. Learn the rules, but don't rely on them. As I mentioned earlier for every rule there is at least one exception.
  
  1. Keep a notebook of words you find difficult to spell. Underline the part of the word that you find most difficult.
 
  2. Use a dictionary, not a spell-checker! OK use a spell-checker, but don't rely on it. Spell-checkers don't check for meaning, the most common misspelt words I have seen on the net are there and their.
 
  3. Learn words with their possible prefixes and suffixes.
 
  4. Learn the rules, but don't rely on them. As I mentioned earlier for every rule there is at least one exception. For example:-
 
  
 
===i before e except after c===
 
===i before e except after c===
 
One of the first English spelling rules learnt in most schools is "i before e except after c". This only works when the pronunciation of the word is like a long ee as in shield.
 
One of the first English spelling rules learnt in most schools is "i before e except after c". This only works when the pronunciation of the word is like a long ee as in shield.
 
'''For example:-'''
 
'''For example:-'''
 +
 
piece, relief, niece, priest, thief
 
piece, relief, niece, priest, thief
 +
 
but after c
 
but after c
 +
 
conceive, conceit, receive, receipt  
 
conceive, conceit, receive, receipt  
 +
 
when A or I is the sound
 
when A or I is the sound
 
it's the other way round
 
it's the other way round
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with an 'i' sound either, feisty, height, neither, sleight
 
with an 'i' sound either, feisty, height, neither, sleight
'''
+
 
Exceptions:'''
+
'''Exceptions:'''
 +
 
 
seize, weird, conscientious, conscience, efficient . . .
 
seize, weird, conscientious, conscience, efficient . . .
  
 
===Silent Letters===
 
===Silent Letters===
 
'''What is a silent letter?'''
 
'''What is a silent letter?'''
 +
 
A silent letter is a letter that must be included when you write the word even though you don't pronounce it. Over half the alphabet can appear as silent letters in words. They can be found at the beginning, end or middle of the words and, from the sound of the word, you wouldn't know that they were there.
 
A silent letter is a letter that must be included when you write the word even though you don't pronounce it. Over half the alphabet can appear as silent letters in words. They can be found at the beginning, end or middle of the words and, from the sound of the word, you wouldn't know that they were there.
 +
 
'''For example:-'''
 
'''For example:-'''
 +
 
a - treadle, bread
 
a - treadle, bread
 +
 
b - lamb, bomb, comb
 
b - lamb, bomb, comb
 +
 
c - scissors, science, scent
 
c - scissors, science, scent
 +
 
d - edge, bridge, ledge
 
d - edge, bridge, ledge
 +
 
e - see below
 
e - see below
 +
 
h - honour, honest, school
 
h - honour, honest, school
 +
 
k - know, knight, knowledge
 
k - know, knight, knowledge
 +
 
l - talk, psalm, should
 
l - talk, psalm, should
 +
 
n - hymn, autumn, column
 
n - hymn, autumn, column
 +
 
p - pneumatic, psalm, psychology
 
p - pneumatic, psalm, psychology
 +
 
s - isle, island, aisle
 
s - isle, island, aisle
 +
 
t - listen, rustle, shistle
 
t - listen, rustle, shistle
 +
 
u - biscuit, guess, guitar
 
u - biscuit, guess, guitar
 +
 
w - write, wrong, wrist
 
w - write, wrong, wrist
 +
  
 
'''Silent e'''
 
'''Silent e'''
Line 52: Line 74:
 
There are some hard and fast rules for spelling when a word ends with a silent e.
 
There are some hard and fast rules for spelling when a word ends with a silent e.
 
When you wish to add a suffix to a word and it ends with a silent e, if the suffix begins with a consonant you don't need to change the stem of the word.
 
When you wish to add a suffix to a word and it ends with a silent e, if the suffix begins with a consonant you don't need to change the stem of the word.
 +
 
'''For example:'''
 
'''For example:'''
 +
 
force + ful =forceful
 
force + ful =forceful
 +
 
manage + ment =management
 
manage + ment =management
 +
 
sincere + ly =sincerely
 
sincere + ly =sincerely
 +
  
 
If however the suffix begins with a vowel or a y, drop the e before adding the suffix.
 
If however the suffix begins with a vowel or a y, drop the e before adding the suffix.
 +
 
'''For example:'''
 
'''For example:'''
 +
 
fame + ous =famous
 
fame + ous =famous
 +
 
nerve + ous =nervous
 
nerve + ous =nervous
 +
 
believable + y =believably
 
believable + y =believably
 +
 
criticise + ism =criticism
 
criticise + ism =criticism
 +
 
'''Exceptions:'''
 
'''Exceptions:'''
 +
 
mileage, aggreeable
 
mileage, aggreeable
Prefixes and Suffixes
+
 
 +
===Prefixes and Suffixes===
  
 
Adding a prefix to a word doesn't usually change the spelling of the stem of the word.
 
Adding a prefix to a word doesn't usually change the spelling of the stem of the word.
 +
 
'''For example:-'''
 
'''For example:-'''
 +
 
anti + septic antiseptic
 
anti + septic antiseptic
 +
 
auto + biography autobiography
 
auto + biography autobiography
 +
 
de - sensitize desensitize
 
de - sensitize desensitize
 +
 
dis - approve disapprove
 
dis - approve disapprove
 +
 
im - possible impossible
 
im - possible impossible
 +
 
inter - mediate intermediate
 
inter - mediate intermediate
 +
 
mega - byte megabyte
 
mega - byte megabyte
 +
 
mis - take mistake
 
mis - take mistake
 +
 
micro - chip microchip
 
micro - chip microchip
 +
 
re - used reused
 
re - used reused
 +
 
un - available unavailable
 
un - available unavailable
 +
  
 
Adding a suffix to a word often changes the spelling of the stem of the word. The following may help you work out the changes. Again there are exceptions, so if you're not sure - look it up in your dictionary.
 
Adding a suffix to a word often changes the spelling of the stem of the word. The following may help you work out the changes. Again there are exceptions, so if you're not sure - look it up in your dictionary.
Words ending in a consonant
+
 
 +
'''Words ending in a consonant'''
 
When the suffix begins with a consonant, just add the ending without any changes.
 
When the suffix begins with a consonant, just add the ending without any changes.
 +
 
'''For example:-'''
 
'''For example:-'''
 +
 
treat + ment treatment
 
treat + ment treatment
  
 
===Doubling the consonant===
 
===Doubling the consonant===
 
For most words with a short vowel sound, ending with a single consonant, double the consonant when adding a suffix that starts with a vowel, such as er, ed or ing.
 
For most words with a short vowel sound, ending with a single consonant, double the consonant when adding a suffix that starts with a vowel, such as er, ed or ing.
 +
 
'''For example:-'''
 
'''For example:-'''
 +
 
mop + ing mopping
 
mop + ing mopping
 +
 
big + est biggest
 
big + est biggest
 +
 
hot + er hotter
 
hot + er hotter
 +
 
For words endling in l after a vowel, double the l before adding er, ed or ing.
 
For words endling in l after a vowel, double the l before adding er, ed or ing.
 +
 
'''For example:-'''
 
'''For example:-'''
 +
 
carol + ing carolling
 
carol + ing carolling
 +
 
travel + er travelling
 
travel + er travelling
 +
 
'''Exceptions:'''
 
'''Exceptions:'''
 +
 
Some words ending in r, x, w or y are exceptions to the doubling rule
 
Some words ending in r, x, w or y are exceptions to the doubling rule
 +
 
tear + ing tearing
 
tear + ing tearing
 +
 
blow + ing blowing
 
blow + ing blowing
 +
 
box + er boxer
 
box + er boxer
 +
 
know + ing knowing
 
know + ing knowing
 +
  
 
And if your main word has two consonants at the end, or more than one vowel, don't double the consonant.
 
And if your main word has two consonants at the end, or more than one vowel, don't double the consonant.
 +
 
rain + ing (two vowels a + i) raining
 
rain + ing (two vowels a + i) raining
 +
 
keep + er (two vowels e + e) keeper
 
keep + er (two vowels e + e) keeper
 +
 
break + ing (two vowels e + a) breaking
 
break + ing (two vowels e + a) breaking
 +
 
hang + er (two consonants n + g) hanger
 
hang + er (two consonants n + g) hanger
  
 
===Word Endings===
 
===Word Endings===
 
'''Words ending in ce and ge'''
 
'''Words ending in ce and ge'''
 +
 
When you want to add a suffix starting with a or o leave the e in.
 
When you want to add a suffix starting with a or o leave the e in.
 +
 
'''For example:-'''
 
'''For example:-'''
 +
 
manage + able manageable
 
manage + able manageable
 +
 
notice + able noticeable
 
notice + able noticeable
 +
 
courage + ous courageous
 
courage + ous courageous
 +
 
'''Exceptions:'''
 
'''Exceptions:'''
 +
 
prestige + ous prestigious
 
prestige + ous prestigious
  
 
===Words ending in ie===
 
===Words ending in ie===
 
When you want to add ing to verbs ending in ie, drop the e and change the i to a y.
 
When you want to add ing to verbs ending in ie, drop the e and change the i to a y.
 +
 
'''For example:-'''
 
'''For example:-'''
 +
 
die - dying
 
die - dying
 +
 
lie - lying
 
lie - lying
 +
 
tie - tying
 
tie - tying
  
 
===Words ending in y after a consonant===
 
===Words ending in y after a consonant===
 
When you want to add suffixes such -as, -ed, -es, -er, -eth, -ly, -ness, -ful and -ous to a word ending in y after a consonant, change the y to an i before adding the suffix.
 
When you want to add suffixes such -as, -ed, -es, -er, -eth, -ly, -ness, -ful and -ous to a word ending in y after a consonant, change the y to an i before adding the suffix.
 +
 
'''For example:-'''
 
'''For example:-'''
 +
 
eighty + eth eightieth
 
eighty + eth eightieth
 +
 
duty + es duties
 
duty + es duties
 +
 
lazy + ness laziness
 
lazy + ness laziness
 +
 
mystery +ous mysterious
 
mystery +ous mysterious
 +
 
beauty + ful beautiful
 
beauty + ful beautiful
 +
 
multiply + ed multiplied
 
multiply + ed multiplied
 +
 
busy + ly busily
 
busy + ly busily
  
 
===Words ending in y after a vowel===
 
===Words ending in y after a vowel===
 
Keep the y when adding suffixes such as er, ing or ed.
 
Keep the y when adding suffixes such as er, ing or ed.
 +
 
'''For example:-'''
 
'''For example:-'''
 +
 
destroy destroying destroyed
 
destroy destroying destroyed
pry prying pried
+
 
buy buying buyer
+
pry     prying pried
play playing player
+
 
 +
buy         buying buyer
 +
 
 +
play   playing player

Revision as of 20:03, 2 October 2007

Contents

Spelling!

To speak English well, you need grammar. To write English well, you need grammar, punctuation and spelling.

In Old England words were written as they sounded (phonetically) and so one word could often be spelt in many different ways. In addition English has adopted words from many other languages. Eventually spelling was standardised, and although many English words have irregular spellings there are some rules that can help you. Watch out though, for every rule there are always some exceptions! English has over 1,100 different ways to spell its 44 separate sounds, more than any other language.

How to Improve Your Spelling

1. Keep a notebook of words you find difficult to spell. Underline the part of the word that you find most difficult. 2. Use a dictionary, not a spell-checker! OK use a spell-checker, but don't rely on it. Spell-checkers don't check for meaning, the most common misspelt words I have seen on the net are there and their. 3. Learn words with their possible prefixes and suffixes. 4. Learn the rules, but don't rely on them. As I mentioned earlier for every rule there is at least one exception.


i before e except after c

One of the first English spelling rules learnt in most schools is "i before e except after c". This only works when the pronunciation of the word is like a long ee as in shield. For example:-

piece, relief, niece, priest, thief

but after c

conceive, conceit, receive, receipt

when A or I is the sound it's the other way round

with an 'a' sound - deign, eight, neighbour, feign, reign, vein, weight

with an 'i' sound either, feisty, height, neither, sleight

Exceptions:

seize, weird, conscientious, conscience, efficient . . .

Silent Letters

What is a silent letter?

A silent letter is a letter that must be included when you write the word even though you don't pronounce it. Over half the alphabet can appear as silent letters in words. They can be found at the beginning, end or middle of the words and, from the sound of the word, you wouldn't know that they were there.

For example:-

a - treadle, bread

b - lamb, bomb, comb

c - scissors, science, scent

d - edge, bridge, ledge

e - see below

h - honour, honest, school

k - know, knight, knowledge

l - talk, psalm, should

n - hymn, autumn, column

p - pneumatic, psalm, psychology

s - isle, island, aisle

t - listen, rustle, shistle

u - biscuit, guess, guitar

w - write, wrong, wrist


Silent e

Silent e is the most commonly found silent letter in the alphabet. There are some hard and fast rules for spelling when a word ends with a silent e. When you wish to add a suffix to a word and it ends with a silent e, if the suffix begins with a consonant you don't need to change the stem of the word.

For example:

force + ful =forceful

manage + ment =management

sincere + ly =sincerely


If however the suffix begins with a vowel or a y, drop the e before adding the suffix.

For example:

fame + ous =famous

nerve + ous =nervous

believable + y =believably

criticise + ism =criticism

Exceptions:

mileage, aggreeable

Prefixes and Suffixes

Adding a prefix to a word doesn't usually change the spelling of the stem of the word.

For example:-

anti + septic antiseptic

auto + biography autobiography

de - sensitize desensitize

dis - approve disapprove

im - possible impossible

inter - mediate intermediate

mega - byte megabyte

mis - take mistake

micro - chip microchip

re - used reused

un - available unavailable


Adding a suffix to a word often changes the spelling of the stem of the word. The following may help you work out the changes. Again there are exceptions, so if you're not sure - look it up in your dictionary.

Words ending in a consonant When the suffix begins with a consonant, just add the ending without any changes.

For example:-

treat + ment treatment

Doubling the consonant

For most words with a short vowel sound, ending with a single consonant, double the consonant when adding a suffix that starts with a vowel, such as er, ed or ing.

For example:-

mop + ing mopping

big + est biggest

hot + er hotter

For words endling in l after a vowel, double the l before adding er, ed or ing.

For example:-

carol + ing carolling

travel + er travelling

Exceptions:

Some words ending in r, x, w or y are exceptions to the doubling rule

tear + ing tearing

blow + ing blowing

box + er boxer

know + ing knowing


And if your main word has two consonants at the end, or more than one vowel, don't double the consonant.

rain + ing (two vowels a + i) raining

keep + er (two vowels e + e) keeper

break + ing (two vowels e + a) breaking

hang + er (two consonants n + g) hanger

Word Endings

Words ending in ce and ge

When you want to add a suffix starting with a or o leave the e in.

For example:-

manage + able manageable

notice + able noticeable

courage + ous courageous

Exceptions:

prestige + ous prestigious

Words ending in ie

When you want to add ing to verbs ending in ie, drop the e and change the i to a y.

For example:-

die - dying

lie - lying

tie - tying

Words ending in y after a consonant

When you want to add suffixes such -as, -ed, -es, -er, -eth, -ly, -ness, -ful and -ous to a word ending in y after a consonant, change the y to an i before adding the suffix.

For example:-

eighty + eth eightieth

duty + es duties

lazy + ness laziness

mystery +ous mysterious

beauty + ful beautiful

multiply + ed multiplied

busy + ly busily

Words ending in y after a vowel

Keep the y when adding suffixes such as er, ing or ed.

For example:-

destroy destroying destroyed

pry prying pried

buy buying buyer

play playing player