Spelling Rules

Pattern 1: The “Floss” Rule (words ending in ff, ll, ss, or zz)

If a word has one syllable after one vowel and ends in f, l, s, or z, double the end.

E.g.: Buzz Off Miss Pill

Pattern 2: Doubling Rule (1-1-1-1)

If a word has:

1-syllable,

1-consonant at the end,

1-vowel before the ending consonant, and you’re adding

1-vowel suffix,

double the final consonant before adding the vowel suffix.

Don’t double if adding a suffix that begins with a consonant.

E.g.: ship, shipper, shipment

Pattern 3: Doubling; Words with More Than One Syllable (accent, 1-1-1 )

If the word has an:

accent on the last syllable,

1-consonant at the end,

1-vowel before the ending consonant, plus you’re adding

1-vowel suffix,

double the final consonant before adding the vowel suffix.

Don’t double if adding a suffix that begins with a consonant.

E.g.: commit, committed, commitment

Pattern 4: Silent-e

If a word ends in silent-e, drop the “e” before adding a vowel suffix. Do not drop if adding a suffix that begins with a consonant.

E.g.: hope, hoped or hoping, hopeful

Pattern 5: Regular Plurals

Add “s” to form the plural of a word.

E.g.: cat, cats, or table, tables

Pattern 6: Plurals Ending in “s, x, z, ch or sh”

Add “es” to form the plural of words with these endings.

E.g.: lunch, lunches or dish, dishes

Pattern 7: Plurals and Other Words Ending in “y”

If a consonant is before the “y,” change the “y” to “i” and add “es” or any suffix.

Don’t change if adding “ing.”

If a vowel is before the “y,” just add “s” to form the plural.

E.g.: lady, ladies, key, keys, try, tries, trying, pity, pitiful, copy, copying

Pattern 8: Plural of words ending in “o”

If a vowel is before the “o,” add “s” to the word to form the plural.

If a consonant is before the “o,” just add “es” to the word to form the plural.

E.g.: studio, studios, tomato, tomatoes

Pattern 9: Plural of words ending in “f” or “fe”

Some words form the plural by only adding “s,” but some need “ves.” Some use both! It’s tricky!

E.g.: roof, roofs, hoof, hoofs or hooves, leaf, leaves, knife, knives

Pattern 10: Possessives

If word is singular or a plural not ending in “s,” add apostrophe and “s.”

If word is plural and ends in “s,” just add apostrophe.

E.g.: cat’s tail, women’s restroom, girls’ restroom

Pattern 11: Plurals of Letter, Signs, and Figures

Just add “s” to form the plural.

E.g.: #s, 7s, Gs

Pattern 12: “ie” and “ei”

Remember, “i” before “e” except after “c” or when it sounds like “a.” This rule is only good for the vowel teams ie and ei. In the word “diet,” the “ie” is not a team.

E.g.: believe, receive, weigh, sleigh

Pattern 13: Adding the Suffix -ful

Just add the –ful; it does not change the base word.

If word ends in "y" it will change to "i."

Never use two ls for the suffix.

E.g.: mindful, hopeful, beautiful, bountiful

Pattern 14: Adding the Suffix -ly

Just add the –ly; it does not change the base word.

E.g.: safely, quickly

Pattern 15: Longer Spelling

Use the longer spelling ("ck, tch, dge" instead of "k, ch, ge") right after a short vowel in 1-syllable words

E.g.: trick, witch, grudge instead of mark, screech, lunge