6.5  Spelling

When you can't use a dictionary or a spellchecker feature, write the word and don't change it unless you are absolutely sure you've made a mistake. Your first try is usually your best chance to spell the word correctly.

If you're sure you can't spell a word, try to substitute another word or group of words that will not change the meaning too much.

Rules to Remember

• Write "i" before "e" except after "c," or when sounding like "a" as in "neighbor" and "weigh." When the "ie/ei" combination is not pronounced "ee," it is usually spelled "ei."
  
  

  Examples (ie):	Examples (ei):
  fiery	reign
  friend	weigh
  view	neighbor
  believe	receive

  
  
• If a word ends with a silent "e," drop the "e" before adding a suffix which begins with a vowel:

  Example: stated; making

• Do not drop the "e" when the suffix begins with a consonant:

Example: statement; useful

• When "y" is the last letter in a word and the "y" is preceded by a consonant, change the "y" to "i" before adding any suffix except those beginning with "i":

Example: beautiful; worried

• When forming the plural of a word which ends with a "y" that is preceded by a vowel, add "s":

Example: boys; plays; monkeys

• When a one-syllable word ends in a consonant preceded by one vowel, double the final consonant before adding a suffix which begins with a vowel:

Example: running; planning

• When a multi-syllable word ends in a consonant preceded by one vowel, the same rule holds true: double the final consonant:

Example: controlled; preferred

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