236 English Grammar Demystifi ed
RULE 4: SUFFIXES THAT CHANGE THE SPELLING OF WORDS
THAT END IN -Y
Suffi xes change the spelling of words that end in -y.
Word Suf fi x New Word
hearty -ily heartily
necessary -ily necessarily
happy -ness happiness
Written Practice 10-3
Circle the incorrectly spelled word in each of the following sentences.
- Carlessness is not an option in a doctor’s offi ce.
- She was noticably less productive.
- Happyness means different things to different people.
- I am truely committed to losing weight.
- The movie was not fameous for his exceptional acting.
RULE 5: DOUBLING THE FINAL CONSONANT IN A
ONE-SYLLABLE WORD
When a one-syllable action word ends in a consonant preceded by a vowel (e.g.,
run), double the fi nal consonant before you change the form of the word.
run runner
plan planned
thin thinner
RULE 6: DOUBLING THE FINAL CONSONANT IN A TWO-
SYLLABLE WORD
When a two-syllable word ends in a consonant preceded by a vowel and is accented
on the second syllable (e.g., occur), change its form by doubling the fi nal consonant
(e.g., occurred).