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You are here: Home / Mechanics / Spelling

Spelling

The best way to work on improving spelling is to identify the misspelled words and create a list. Then memorize the correct spelling by writing the proper spelling on index cards and reviewing them daily until mastered.

  1. Pronounce words correctly to catch all the sounds in a word. (This means slow down.)
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  3. Don’t let silent letters lead you astray in words like sight, vote, and bought.
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  5. Be aware of different pronunciations.
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  7. Know the difference between homonyms (words that sound alike but have different meanings: their/there, your/you’re, etc.) and words that look similar (like quiet/quite, farther/further, and then/than).
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  9. Familiarize yourself with some basic spelling rules:
     
    o   When a suffix that begins with a vowel is added to a root that ends in a silent “e,” the silent “e” is omitted. (care + ing = caring)

    o   If the suffix begins with a consonant, the silent “e” is kept. (care + less = careless) Exceptions: true/truly, argue/argument, & judge/judgment

    o   When adding a suffix beginning with a vowel or “y” to a word ending with a consonant, double the consonant if the word has only one syllable and the final consonant is single and preceded by a single vowel: drop/dropping, flip/flipping, etc. (This rule also applies to words with two syllables if the last syllable is accented and the final consonant is single and preceded by a single vowel: upset/upsetting, omit/omitted, etc.)

    o   Use “i” before “e” except after “c” or when it sounds like “a” as in neighbor or weigh: believe, receive, eight, etc. (Exceptions: counterfeit, either, seize, etc.)

    o   To form plurals for nouns that end in “y”:
      o   If the noun ends in a consonant and “y,” change the “y” to “i” and add “es.” (Examples: quantity/quantities and city/cities)
      o   If the noun ends in a vowel and “y,” add “s.” (Examples: attorney/attorneys and turkey/turkeys)

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