Spell-checkers can be helpful, but they will not catch all errors. To be sure that your spelling is correct, you must proofread your final draft yourself. The following suggestions for catching and correcting your spelling errors will help:

M7-a Study the spelling rules for adding prefixes and suffixes to words.

Although English has a large number of words with unusual spellings, many follow the patterns that spelling rules describe.

Add a prefix to a root without doubling or dropping letters.

Add a suffix beginning with a vowel (such as -ing) in accord with the form of the root word.

Double the final consonant if the word has a single syllable that ends in a single consonant preceded by a single vowel.

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Do the same if the word has a final stressed syllable that ends in a single consonant preceded by a single vowel.

The final consonant does not double if the word ends in two consonants or two vowels.

In some cases, the stress shifts to the first syllable when a suffix is added. When it does, do not double the final consonant.

Add a suffix that begins with y or a vowel by dropping a final silent e.

Keep the final silent e to retain a soft c or g sound, to prevent mispronunciation, or to prevent confusion with other words.

Add a suffix that begins with a consonant by keeping a final silent e.

Exceptions: acknowledgment, argument, awful, judgment, truly, wholly

Form the plural of a singular noun in accord with its form.

If a singular noun ends in a consonant followed by y, change y to i and add -es.

Note: Simply add -s to names: her cousin Mary, both Marys.

If a singular noun ends in a vowel followed by y, add -s.

If a singular noun ends in a consonant and o, add -es.

Exceptions: autos, dynamos, pianos, sopranos

If a singular noun ends in a vowel and o, add -s.

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If a singular noun ends in s, ss, sh, ch, x, or z, add -es.

Note: The plural of thesis is theses.

Check the dictionary for the plural of a word that originates in another language.

M7-b Study the spelling rules (and the exceptions) that apply to words you routinely misspell.

Add i before e except after c.

Most people remember this rule because of the jingle “Write i before e/ Except after c/ Or when sounded like ay/ As in neighbor and weigh.” Exceptions: either, foreign, forfeit, height, leisure, neither, seize, weird

Spell most words ending in the sound “seed” as -cede.

Exceptions: proceed, succeed, supersede

M7-c Watch for words that are often spelled incorrectly because they sound like other words.

In English, many words are not spelled as they sound. The endings of some words may be dropped in speech but need to be included in writing. For example, speakers often pronounce and as an’ or drop the -ed ending on verbs. Other common words sound the same but have entirely different meanings. Watch carefully for words such as the following:

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already (“by now”: He is already in class.)

all ready (“fully prepared”: I’m all ready for the test.)

an (article: Everyone read an essay last night.)

and (conjunction: The class discussed the problem and the solution.)

its (possessive pronoun: The car lost its shine.)

it’s (“it is”: It’s too cold to go for a walk.)

maybe (“perhaps”: Maybe we should have tacos for dinner.)

may be (verb showing possibility: They may be arriving tonight.)

than (conjunction showing comparison: The house was taller than the tree.)

then (adverb showing time sequence: First she knocked and then she opened the door.)

their (possessive pronoun: They decided to sell their old car.)

there (adverb showing location: The car dealer is located there on the corner.)

they’re (“they are”: They’re going to pick up the new car tonight.)

your (possessive pronoun: I can see your apartment.)

you’re (“you are”: Call me when you’re home.)

For distinctions between other words, such as affect/effect, principal/principle, and to/too, see the Glossary of Frequently Misused Words.

Watch for and correct misspelled words that sound the same as other words.

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M7-d Watch for words that are often misspelled.

Check your essays for the following words, which are often spelled incorrectly. Look up any other questionable words in a dictionary, and keep a personal list of words that you tend to misspell.

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