Lesson 12 Spelling
Last week we learned the rule governing the spelling of derivatives of one syllable ending in a single consonant preceded by a single vowel when we add a suffix beginning with a vowel.
The same rule applies to words of two or more syllables, accented on the last syllable.
For example:
Compel, compelled, compelling.
Prefer, preferred, preferring.
Words accented on the last syllable, when they end in a single consonant preceded by a single vowel, double the final consonant when you add a suffix beginning with a vowel.
When these words take a suffix that begins with a consonant, they do not double the final consonant; as, preferment.
Words accented on any syllable but the last, do not double the final consonant; as, offer, offered, offering.
Words that have two vowels before a single final consonant do not double the final consonant; as, reveal, revealed, revealing.
Words that end in a double consonant or any two consonants, keep the two consonants, no matter what suffix they take; as, indent, indented; skill, skilled, skillful.
The only exception to this rule is when the addition of the suffix throws the accent back to a preceding syllable. When this is the case, the final consonant is not doubled. For example: refer, referred, ref’erence; confer, conferring, con’ference.
Look up the following words in the dictionary, watch for the accent, mark and add the suffixes, ed, ing, ence or ance, if possible.
Monday
Repel
Alter
Prefer
Debar
Answer
Tuesday
Inter
Offer
Demur
Wonder
Succeed
Wednesday
Detain
Combat
Compel
Occur
Cancel
Thursday
Permit
Travel
Repeal
Control
Profit
Friday
Forbid
Neglect
Expel
Render
Infer
Saturday
Benefit
Retain
Submit
Reveal
Limit