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Unit 34: Adding suffixes to longer words

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Unit 34: Adding suffixes to longer words – double or not?

Unit StartCourse Test: Review: Suffix rules; Stressed syllables - Spelling testPage 2: Review: Suffix rules; Stressed syllables - Spelling testCourse Test: The suffixing rules for longer words. Spelling testPage 4: The suffixing rules for longer words. Spelling testCourse Test: More on these rules. Spelling testPage 6: More on these rules. Spelling testPage 7: Rules and rule breakers: Words ending in l.Unit End

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Adding Suffixes to Longer Words

Rule Breakers - these words break spelling rules NOTE: These rule-breakers apply to British spellings only. British English spelling rule breakers

If a word ends in one vowel and the letter l, we nearly always double the l when adding a vowel suffix, no matter which is stressed:

word lists word lists
1st syllable stressed: 2nd syllable stressed:

travel + ing = travelling
signal + ed = signalled
quarrel + ing = quarrelling
marvel + ous = marvellous
propel + ed = propelled
enrol + ing = enrolling
control + ed = controlled
expel + ing = expelling
As before, words with two vowels do not double:
conceal + ing = concealing
prevail + ed = prevailed

Do not double if the suffix is -ity, -ise or -ize:
civil + ity = civility
legal + ise = legalise
formal + ize = formalize

(Note: in most cases you can use either -ise or -ize.)
word lists word lists

American English spelling rules American spellings stick to the rules, mostly.

travel + ing = traveling equal + ed = equaled cancel + ing = canceling

See Unit 36 for more exciting differences.

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