The Spelling Rules for Adding Suffixes:

When do you change the letter y ?
When does the y stay the same ?

Teaching point - learning to spell

If you are adding the suffixes -ing or -ish to a word ending in y, you do not need to change the y to i. This is so there isn’t double i in the word.

For example:

If the suffix is ing or ish do not change the y to i – otherwise you end up with words with double i in them!

English spelling
 
criing
copiing
babiish 		crying
copying
babyish
 
English spelling
English spelling English spelling


If there is another vowel just before the y, you also do not need to change the y to i. This is so there aren’t too many vowels clumped together in the word.

For example:

English spelling
 
plaied
donkeies
emploier 		played
donkeys
employer
 
English spelling
English spelling English spelling

Learn the Words:
Study this word list 'Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check' spelling exercise English spelling games spelling test

Have a go at these. When do you change the y to i? When don’t you?

Add the suffix to the root word.

Type the whole word:

monkey + s
enjoy + ing
worry + ed
joy + ous
glory + ous
dismay + ed
hurry + ed
moody + ness
jockey + s
berry + s
key + s
healthy + er

Skip this exercise and go to the next part of this unit: Some more y to i rule-breakers. *

* Skip link not available for logged in students.

X
X ⬊ ⬉
Please turn your screen to landscape to play this game.
X

The Spellzone interactive course is intended to be used online and may not be printed.

Sign up to remove this advert

Your current location:

Unit 9: Adding suffixes: the spelling rules

Page 14 of 19

Try Spellzone for free

Dictionary



Sign up to remove this advert

"I love your course..... you explain so much that I didn't know, forgot, or wasn't taught."

Adult student, USA