Follow the Rules! Spelling Rules
Post 1 of 23
Inspired by Prof Carl's Rules on Capitalization, let us list some English spelling rules.
Yes, fortunately there are some valid rules to guide learners in making sure they spell a few hard words correctly and make a good impression.
I'll start with the first rule and then anyone else can think of and write another rule:
1. (macs2005) The -ful rule. Remember that the sound full at the end of a word is spelled with only one l. For example:
3. (adseaco) Verbs ending in 'l' not stressed on the final syllable, the 'l' is not doubled in the '-ing' form and the past participle.
4. (adseaco) Words which end in -tre in British English are spelt -ter in American English. Similarly, words which end in '-our' are spelt '-or' in American English
5. (macs2005) When adding mis- or dis- to the beginning of a word, there is only one s unless the word itself begins with s
6. (macs2005) When adding in- or un- to the beginning of a word, there is only one n unless the word itself begins with n
7. (Prf Carl) Stress rule for compound nouns: If the the second word is stressed, write the two words separately.
8. (macs2005) Use i before e, except after c, or when sounding like a as in neighbor and weigh.
Yes, fortunately there are some valid rules to guide learners in making sure they spell a few hard words correctly and make a good impression.
I'll start with the first rule and then anyone else can think of and write another rule:
1. (macs2005) The -ful rule. Remember that the sound full at the end of a word is spelled with only one l. For example:
- careful
- graceful
- healthful
- hopeful
- beautiful
- fruitful
3. (adseaco) Verbs ending in 'l' not stressed on the final syllable, the 'l' is not doubled in the '-ing' form and the past participle.
4. (adseaco) Words which end in -tre in British English are spelt -ter in American English. Similarly, words which end in '-our' are spelt '-or' in American English
5. (macs2005) When adding mis- or dis- to the beginning of a word, there is only one s unless the word itself begins with s
6. (macs2005) When adding in- or un- to the beginning of a word, there is only one n unless the word itself begins with n
7. (Prf Carl) Stress rule for compound nouns: If the the second word is stressed, write the two words separately.
8. (macs2005) Use i before e, except after c, or when sounding like a as in neighbor and weigh.
14 Aug 2007 11:22
Post 2 of 23
replying to macs2005:
The Romans brought the Roman alphabet to Western Europe. The adaptation was in many cases like trying to get a round sound to fit in a square ear.
After that, to add to the confusion, English picked up new phonemes (like the -ng at the ends of words) and lost a few (like the -gh), an artifact seen in "enough". The -gh sounded somewhat like an "f" made in the back of the mouth, and it developed into the "f" we all know. To complicate it more, there was the "Great Vowel Shift" you can search and read about, that occurred five and six hundred years ago. The vowels for the most part lost their old Roman values.
One way we learn about this is by looking at the end-rhyme of ancient poetry. For example,
God is great,
and God is Good,
we thank him for this Food.
So many times I've heard people comment, "how stupid, 'food' doesn't rhyme with 'good'." Once it did.
31 Aug 2007 07:49
Post 3 of 23
Replying to [macs2005]:Thanks for your sharing in English-spelling. I will collect some when I come across in the future.
07 Sep 2007 06:31