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September 11, 2013

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 :)



Shraboni Chakraborthi
Asstt. Professor
English and Foreign Languages University,
 Hyderabad

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20 comments:

  1. Thank you madam.. These tips are useful....

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  2. this is the simplest website i have ever searched and helpful too

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  3. Mam, in tmb i was send my form in folding format. If its wrong?

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  4. wonderful site...how i explain the importance of this link.

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  5. good logic behind concept....
    thanks mam...

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  6. what does its mean "if the stess does not fall at the end of the word?

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  7. HI.....i m not able to understand the mean of "if the stress does not fall at the end of the word"?

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  8. this ie thing ohhh i love it. simply love it..

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  9. no words for ur work... just amazing ..n tq so much...

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