The Spelling Rules for Adding Suffixes:

When to double a letter - and when not to double

Remember -
This is when we do need to double:

The second vowel is like an invader. He is trying to attack the short vowel and make it change its ways. If he can get near enough, he will make it say its long sound.
Here, there is a strong wall of two consonants. This will protect the short vowel from attack. The invader can't get close, so the first vowel can carry on as before.

The invader only attacks short vowels!

The long vowels are safe - by making a long sound,they are already doing what he wants, so there is no need to attack!
Also, any time there are two vowels together he will not bother to attack, whatever the sound. Think of it as 'safety in numbers' - he wouldn't dare to attack when he is outnumbered!

Some more examples:

sailing

hooter

deepest

groaned

header

shouting

boiler

...and never double w :

showing

fewest

drawer

Now try these. Again, they are a mixture; you will need a double consonant in some words.

Ask yourself:

Add the suffix to the root word	Type the answer
plain + er
boat + ing
slip + ed
dream + er
creep + y
deaf + en
ship + ment
mix + ing
grab + ed
chill + y
limp + ing
grow + ing

Skip this exercise and go to the next part of this unit: When do we drop the letter e? *

* Skip link not available for logged in students.