| Knowing proper spelling is very important for a number | | | | modifications. |
| of reasons. First of all, when words cannot be spoken | | | | For those words that have a short vowel sound and |
| from our mouths we can write them down. If these | | | | end with a single consonant, the consonant is doubled |
| words are not spelled properly, then that | | | | when adding on a suffix that starts with a vowel. |
| communication is compromised. Since communicating | | | | These suffixes canbe ed, ing, or er. Some examples: |
| in writing is very important in many of our jobs, it is | | | | - Biggest- big is the main word that has a short vowel |
| important that we know some very important | | | | sound and ends in a single consonant. As a result, we |
| grammar rules. Second, many use writing to write | | | | add another "g" and then the "est" since it starts with a |
| down their ideas. If proper grammar isn't used, then | | | | vowel. |
| those who like to write in diaries and journals would not | | | | There are exceptions, though. There are some words |
| understand what they wrote when reading it years | | | | that end in r,x,w or y and don't require doubling. Such a |
| down the road. So not only is writing important when | | | | word is blowing. The suffix is "ing," but because the |
| communicating with others, it is also important when | | | | single consonant is a 'w', there is no need for doubling. |
| communicating with ourselves. | | | | If there are two consonants at the end of your main |
| Below are rules regarding the addition of prefixes and | | | | word, or two vowels, the consonant doesn't need to |
| suffixes to words. | | | | be doubled. An example is the word keeper. The |
| Prefixes | | | | vowels are e+e, so the "er" can be added on without |
| Prefixes are those additions that usually do not change | | | | doubling the consonant. Another thing to keep in mind is |
| the spelling of the word. The prefix is attached to the | | | | that when a suffix is added that begins with a vowel |
| word despite any consonant duplications, accents, or | | | | and the main words ends with a silent "e", that silent |
| syllabication. Examples are: | | | | "e" should be dropped like it is in the words pricing and |
| - Unavailable - the prefix is the "un" and it is easy to | | | | surprising. However, if the suffix used begins with a |
| see that the remainder of the word, available, does not | | | | consonant, the silent "e" should be kept such as in the |
| change. | | | | words likeness and advancement. |
| - Misspell - Ironically, this word is the most misspelled | | | | It is also necessary to drop the final "Y" in the main |
| word. A great way to remember how to spell misspell | | | | word when adding a suffix if the "Y" has a consonant |
| is that "mis" is the prefix and "spell" is the main word. | | | | before it. The word worry becomes worried and |
| The spelling of the main word does not change at all, | | | | supply becomes supplies. But this rule does not apply |
| but it is amazing how often this word is not spelled | | | | to words ending in why in which the "ing" suffix is |
| correctly. | | | | added. Examples are: Crying and obeyed. |
| Suffixes | | | | It is important to know the rules regarding prefixes and |
| When adding a suffix, the main part of the word | | | | suffixes when learning English. It is easy to see that |
| usually changes the spelling of the word, but | | | | there is more involved with adding a suffix than a |
| sometimes there are exceptions. Take the word | | | | prefix, but with practice suffixes can be added on |
| treatment, for instance. "ment" is the suffix of the word | | | | without even thing about them. These rules are vital |
| and "treat" is the original word. Simply add the "ment" | | | | for effective communication, so knowing the rules is |
| to "treat" and you have treatment without any spelling | | | | very important. |