Spelling & Vocabulary Enrichment [ 11 ]

11- ] Spelling & Vocabulary Enrichment .

Some Rules Of Adding Prefixes & Suffixes.

1- ]There are two rules for spelling words with prefixes . a-] When adding a prefix to a word , retain the spelling of the original word . e.g ir + rational = irrational ,

non + nuclear = nonnuclear  . b-] When adding a prefix to a lower case word , do not use a hyphen in most cases . When adding a prefix to a capitalized word , use a hyphen . Always use a hyphen with the prefix ex- ‘meaning “previous” or “former” . e.g. co- + author = coauthor , mid- + ocean = midocean .                       un + American = un-American , ex- + archer = ex-archer .

Most words that contain suffixes are spelled in a straightforward way . You will have to memorize exceptions to the rules .

2-] Adding suffix –ly .

When adding ‘-ly’ to a word that ends in a single ‘l’ , keep the ‘l’ . When the word ends in double ‘l’ drop the ‘l’ . When the word ends in ‘a consonant +le’ , drop the ‘le’ . e.g. accidental + ly = accidentally , lateral + ly = laterally , dull + ly = dully ,

smell + ly = smelly , able + ly = able , horrible + ly = horribly .

3-] Adding suffix ‘-ness’ :

When adding ‘-ness’ to a word that ends in ‘n’ , keep the ‘n’ .

 e.g. sudden + ness = suddeness  , lean + ness  = leanness , mean + ness = meanness

plain + ness  = plainness

4-] Adding suffixes to words ending in a silent ‘e’ :

Generally dro the final silent ‘e’ before a suffix that begins with a vowel . However , there are many exceptions to rules for words ending in a silent ‘e’ .

e.g. desire + able = desirable , judge + ing = judging .

Keep the final silent ‘e’ in words ending in ‘ce’ or ‘ge’ that have suffixes that begin in ‘a’ or ‘o’ . e.g. peace + able = peaceable , courage + ous = courageous .

Keep the final silent ‘e’ before a suffix that begins with a consonant .

e.g. complete + ly = completely , grace + ful = graceful .

5-] Adding suffixes to words ending in a consonant .

Here are some rules and examples for doubling the final consonant , when adding a suffix to a word :

A-] Double the final consonant :

1-] If the original word is one syllable . e.g. spin , spinner .

2-] If the original word has its accent on the last syllable and the accent remains there after the suffix is added . e.g. dispel , dispelling , occur , occurrence .

3-] If the original word is a prefixed word based on a one-syllable word .

e.g. reset , resetting .

B-] Do not double the final consonant :

1-] If the accent is not on the last syllable or if the accent shifts when the suffix is added . e.g. murmur , murmured , refer , reference .

2-] If the final consonant is ‘x’ or ‘w’ . e.g wax , waxing , flow , flowing .

3-] When adding a suffix that begins with a consonant to a word that ends in a consonant . e.g. daunt , dauntless , equip , equipment .

6-] Forming compound words :

When joining a word that ends in a consonant to a word that begins with a consonant , keep both consonants .

 e.g. lamp + post = lamppost , break + through = breakthrough .

There are many spelling rules that must studied especially when we study grammar . such as ‘adding ed’ or ‘adding ing’ , ‘adding s , es , ies’ etc .

Spelling Challenges .

As we know , not all words follow spelling rules .To simplify spelling , some people have proposed changing the spelling of words so that every word would be spelled as it is pronounced . Since there are regional differences in pronunciation , however , that solution could cause more problems than it would solve . Your best strategy for spelling difficult words is to develop a list of words that you frequently misspell and study them often . You can master the spelling of those words  by writing and rewriting the words .