Rules / Tips for Correct Spellings - Lesson 1

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The one word which  most students dread in any competitive exam is "English", and more so "grammar!". Grammar is an integral and indispensable part of English (or any language, for that matter) and words / vocabulary are an integral part of grammar. And, when we talk of words, can spellings be far behind ? Identifying the wrong spellings is a part of the evaluation process, in the English section, in most competitive exams - bank PO and clerical exams, SSC, IB and other exams.

The 'beauty' of English is that words are not spelled the same way they are pronounced and vice-versa. As Ambrose Bierce, American editorialist, journalist, short story writer, and one of America's greatest satirist, once said, "Orthography is the science of spelling by the eye instead of the ear." This implies that words that are written are not necessarily pronounced the same way! Under such circumstances, mastering spellings becomes critical to your success, not only in competitive examinations - where both your oral and written communications is tested - but also in your career and life.

Here are some Tips / Rules for Correct Spellings

There are certain rules / tips for correct spellings, and it will do you a 'world of good' if you can remember these rules / tips, and apply them accordingly while practicing the spellings of words.

1. 'ie' and 'ei' : When 'ie' is pronounced 'i:' as in 'bee', the 'i' comes before the 'e'.

Believe

Belief

Brief

Achieve

Aggrieved

Fierce

Field

Grieve

Relief

Relieve

Chief

Hygiene

when 'ei' is pronounced 'i:' as in 'bee', 'ei' comes after the 'c'.

Deceive

Deceit

Conceive

Conceit

Misconceive

Perceive

Preconceived

Receive

However, some exceptions to this rule are :

Counterfeit, Plebeian, Weird, Seize, where the 'ei' spelling doesn't follow a 'c'. YOu need to learn the spellings for these.

2. The consonant 'l' is usually doubled, even when the stress does not fall on the last syllable. This rule is applicable for UK English spellings. However, the US spellings have also been shown below for your benefit and understanding.

Word	Change in the word after Applying the rule (UK Spelling)	US Spelling
Travel	Traveller	Traveler
Signal	Signalling	Signaling
Distil	Distiller	Distiller
Quarrel	Quarrelled	Quarreled

 

Note : An Exception is 'paralleled'.

3. Doubling Consonants : When adding 'ed' and 'ing' endings to verbs that end with a single vowel plus a consonant, do not double the final consonant if the stress doesn't fall at the end of the word.

Word	‘ing’ form	‘ed’ form
Budget	Budgeting	Budgeted
Inherit	Inheriting	Inherited

when adding 'ed' and 'ing' endings to verbs that end with a single vowel plus a consonant, double the final consonant if the stress falls at the end of the word.

Word	‘ing’ form	‘ed’ form
Commit	Committing	Committed
Admit	Admitting	Admitted
Refer	Referring	Referred
Defer	Deferring	Deferred

 4. Adding endings to words that end with a double "l" : Drop the final "l" from words that end with a double "l" before adding endings which begin with a consonant. (Such as 'ment', 'ful' and 'li')

Word	‘ly’, ‘ful’ & ‘ment’ endings
Dull	Dully
Chill	Chilly
Will	Wilful (willful in US English)
Skill	Skilful (Skillful in US English)

Note : The ending 'ness' is an exception to this rule :

• Small- Smallness;
• Ill - illness

5. You must have come across the expression" "When two vowels go walking, the first one does not talking". This means that when there are two vowels in a row, the first one usually has a long sound, and the second is silent. "That's why it's 'lean', not 'laen'; 'team', not 'taem'; 'coat', not 'caot', 'boat' not 'baot'; and 'wait' not 'wiat'

Remembering this rule will help you put vowels in the right order. We shall discuss more rules in lesson 2. Happy Reading :)

Read Lesson 2 Here

Shraboni Chakraborthi

Asstt. Professor

English and Foreign Languages University,
 Hyderabad

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