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English spelling often appears to be totally illogical. The following rules can help you to
decode the mysteries of English spelling. But remember, even the best rules have their exceptions.
ADDING -ER/EST
We make the comparative or superlative forms of short adjectives by adding -er or -est.
Spelling Rule
Just add -er or -est to the end of the adjective, for example:
• quick > quicker > quickest
• great > greater > greatest
• full > fuller > fullest
Exceptions
If the adjective ends in: do this: and add: For example:
consonant + vowel + double the last letter hot > hotter > hottest
consonant
Note: adjectives ending in -l are regular, except: cruel > crueller > cruellest
ADDING -ING/-ED
Often we need to add -ing or -ed to a verb to make other forms of the verb, for example:
I was talking when John arrived.
Spelling Rule
Just add -ing or -ed to the end of the base verb:
• work > working > worked
• play > playing > played
• open > opening > opened
Exceptions
If the base verb ends in: do this: and add: For example:
consonant + vowel + double the final -ing stop > stopping > stopped
consonant consonant -ed begin > beginning
and a stressed syllable tap > tapping > tapped
But, for example:
open > opening > opened
(because no stress on last syllable of
open)
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Spelling Rules: 2º Bachillerato
©Ángela Ruiz 2009-10
ADDING -LY
We often make an adverb by adding -ly to an adjective, for example: quick > quickly.
Spelling Rule
Just add -ly to the end of the adjective:
• coy > coyly
• loud > loudly
• beautiful > beautifully
• senseless > senselessly
• intelligent > intelligently
Exceptions
If the adjective do this: and add: For example:
ends in:
ADDING -S
We add -s to words for two reasons:
1. to make plural nouns (boy > boys)
2. to form the 3rd person singular of the present simple tense (I work > you work > he works)
Spelling Rule
Just add -s to the end of the word, for example:
• dog > dogs
• play > plays
• demand > demands
Exceptions
If the word ends in: do this: and add: For example:
-IBLE OR -ABLE
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Spelling Rules: 2º Bachillerato
©Ángela Ruiz 2009-10
Many words end in -ible and -able. Sometimes it is difficult to remember which spelling to use.
The -ible ending is for words of Latin origin. There are about 180 words ending in -ible. No new words are
being created with -ible endings. Here are the most common examples:
Final -l is always doubled after one vowel in stressed and unstressed rebel > rebelled rebel >
syllables in English but usually only in stressed syllables in American travel > rebelled
English, for example: travelled travel >
traveled
Some words end in -tre in English and -ter in American English, for centre center
example: theatre theater
Some words end in -ogue in English and -og in American English, for analogue analog
example: catalogue catalog
Some words end in -our in English and -or in American English, for colour color
example: labour labor
Some verbs end in -ize or -ise in English but only in -ize in American realise, realize realize
English, for example: harmonise, harmonize
harmonize