Word endings (suffixes)
FINAL SILENT E. Drop the final silent e when you add an ending that starts with a vowel.
| imagine + -able = imaginable | exercise + -ing = exercising |
Generally, keep the final e if the ending starts with a consonant. Common exceptions include argument, judgment, noticeable, and truly.
| force + -ful = forceful | state + -ly = stately |
FINAL Y. When adding an ending to a word that ends in a consonant plus y, change the y to an i in most cases.
| try, tried | busy, busily |
Keep the y if it is part of a proper name or if the ending begins with i.
| Kennedy, Kennedyesque | dry, drying |
FINAL CONSONANTS. When adding an ending beginning with a vowel to a word that ends with a vowel and a consonant, double the final consonant if the original word is one syllable or if the accent is on the same syllable in both the original and the new word.
| stop, stopped | begin, beginner | refer, referral |
Otherwise, do not double the final consonant.
| bait, baiting | start, started | refer, reference |