If you\u2019ve ever felt afraid to write without a spell checker, this lesson is for you. While you should definitely keep spell check turned on, here are a few simple rules to boost your spelling confidence.<\/span><\/p>\n Did you ever learn the rhyme, \u201cI before E except after C, or when sounded as A, as in neighbour \u00a0and weigh\u201d? That mnemonic makes this rule easy to remember, so let\u2019s look at some examples:<\/span><\/p>\n Now, it\u2019s time for some exceptions!<\/span><\/p>\n Spell check will almost certainly correct you if you spell one of these words wrong.<\/span><\/p>\n If a word ends in -y when it\u2019s singular, change it to -ie when you pluralize:<\/span><\/p>\n Generally, you make a word plural by adding -s to the end of \u00a0it. But with words that end in -s, -sh, -ch, -x, -z, you add -es to make them plural.<\/span><\/p>\n If the -ch is pronounced like a \u201ck\u201d, you pluralize by just adding -s.<\/span><\/p>\n This is our last rule about plurals. Words that end in -f or -fe usually change their ending to -ves in the plural.<\/span><\/p>\n Of course, there are exceptions:<\/span><\/p>\n Words that end in -ff just add -s:<\/span><\/p>\n When you add a suffix (ending) to a word, double the final consonant if the last three letters are consonant vowel consonant.<\/span><\/p>\n There are many exceptions to this rule, so pay attention to your spell checker.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Adding -ly to a word is very common when you\u2019re forming adverbs. Generally, you just stick the -ly right on to the end of the word.<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cI\u201d Before \u201cE\u201d<\/h3>\n
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Change -y to -ie when Pluralizing<\/h3>\n
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When to Add -es to Pluralize<\/h3>\n
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Changing -f to -ves when Pluralizing<\/h3>\n
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Doubling Consonants<\/h3>\n
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Adding -ly<\/h3>\n
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