Spelling Rules in English

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Related Resources • Use Your Dictionary Well • British / American Vocabulary • Spelling Problems in English

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Here are the most common spelling rules in English. For exceptions to the rules take a look at Common Spelling Problems.

Final -E

Leave off the final 'e' in the following cases:

• When the word ends in 'e' adding a suffix that begins with a vowel (this is usually the case, although there are exceptions such as 'outrageous').

  make - making
  note - notable

• Do not leave out the final 'e' when a word ends in 'ee'.

  agree - agreeable

• Words ending in 'ge' and 'ce' do NOT drop the final 'e'

  encourage - encouragement
  embrace - embraceable

'IE' and 'EI'

This is a common spelling problem, even for native English speakers. Probably the best thing to do is remember this rhyme:

I before E except after C

relief
thief
believe

BUT

perceive
receipt
ceiling

'Y' and 'I'

When adding an ending to a word that finishes in 'y', the 'y' usually changes to 'i':

• Most nouns and verbs that end in 'y' have plural or third person singular conjugations that change to 'i'.

  party - parties
  hurry - She hurries to work.
  

• When changing the word form (for example from adjective to adverb)

  happy - happily
  lazy - lazily
  easy - easier

• Do NOT change the final 'y' to 'i' when 'y' is preceded by a vowel

  stay - stays
  enjoy - enjoyed

  EXCEPTIONS:

  say, lay, pay - said, laid, paid

• Do NOT change the final 'y' to 'i' when followed by '-ing', '-ism', '-ish'.

  boy - boyish
  try - trying
  

'IE' to 'Y'

When a word ends in 'ie' change to 'y' before adding '-ing'

die - dying
lie - lying

More information spelling problems in English

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