Ever wonder why we spell some English words in such strange ways? Here are a few explanations why...
Phonic Spelling Rules
- Floss Rule: When a one-syllable root word has a short vowel sound followed by the sound /f/, /l/, or /s/, it is usually spelled ff, ll, or ss. Examples: hill, puff, and tossExceptions: bus, gas, yes• To spell the /ch/ sound in the final position: Use the letters tch after a short vowel. Use the letters ch after anything else.
-
• To spell the /j/ sound in the intial position: Use the letter j before the letters a, o, or u. Use the letter g before the letters e, i, or y.• To spell the /j/ sound in the final position: Use the letters dge after a short vowel. Use the letters ge after anything else.• To spell the /k/ sound in the initial position: Use the letter k before the letters e, i, or y. Use the letter c before a, o, u, or any consonant.• To spell the /k/ sound in the final position: Use the letters ck after a short vowel. Use the letter k after a consonant or two vowels. Use the letters ke after a long vowel. Use the letter c at the end of a word with two or more syllables.• To spell the /s/ sound in the final position: Use the letters sss after a short vowel. Use the letters ce after a long vowel. Use the letters se after a consonant or two vowels.• To spell the /v/ sound in the final position: Use the letters ve.• The short o sound before the letter l is usually spelled with the letter a.• The short o sound after the letters w or qu is usually spelled with the letter a.• When a consonant suffix is added to a word, just put the word and suffix together. Ex: soft + ness= softness• Dropping Rule: When a word ends with a "silent e," drop the e before adding a vowel suffix. Ex: bake + ing= baking• Doubling Rule: When the final syllable of a word is accented and ends with one vowel and one consonant, double th final consonant before adding a vowel suffix. Ex: tap + ing= tapping• Changing Rule: If a word ends with a vowel y, change the y to an i before adding a suffix (except for those suffixes that begin with i). Do not change y if it comes after a vowel.• Wild Colt Rule: One-syllable words containing the letter i or o followed by two consonants often have vowels pronounced with their long sound. Examples: old, find, or wild.Ghost Letters Rule: Letters whose sounds are no longer pronounced in certain letter combinations ( the gn in gnaw; the kn in knew; the wr in wrote).
