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31f Following spelling rules

31fFollowing spelling rules

Some general spelling rules can be of enormous help to writers.

i before e

Here is a slightly expanded version of the “i before e” rule:

i before e except after c or when pronounced “ay” as in neighbor and weigh, or in weird exceptions like either and species

I BEFORE E	achieve, brief, field, friend
EXCEPT AFTER C	ceiling, conceivable, deceit, receive
OR WHEN PRONOUNCED “AY”	eighth, neighbor, reign, weigh
OR IN WEIRD EXCEPTIONS	ancient, foreign, height, leisure, neither, seize

Prefixes

A prefix, added to the beginning of a word (31c), does not change the spelling of the word it is added to, even when the last letter of the prefix and the first letter of the word are the same (service, disservice; rate, overrate). Some prefixes require the use of hyphens (see 63b).

Suffixes

A suffix, added to the end of a word (31c), may change the spelling of the word it is added to. Pay attention to spell checker recommendations, and consult a dictionary if you are uncertain of the right spelling when you add a suffix.

Words ending in a silent -e. In general, drop the final silent e on a word when you add a suffix that starts with a vowel (exercise, exercising). Keep the final silent e if the suffix starts with a consonant (force, forceful).
Words ending in -y. In general, when you add a suffix to words ending in y, change the y to i if the y is preceded by a consonant (try, tried). Keep the y if it is preceded by a vowel (employ, employed).

Plurals

For most words, simply add -s to form a plural. For singular nouns ending in s, ch, sh, x, or z, add -es (church, churches; fox, foxes).

Words ending in o. In general, add -es if the o is preceded by a consonant (potato, potatoes). Add -s if the o is preceded by a vowel (radio, radios).
Words ending in y. Change y to i and add -es if the y is preceded by a consonant (theory, theories).

For Multilingual Writers: American spellings

Considering Disabilities: Spelling