english grammar

SPELLING RULES Final consonant One-syllable words ending in single vowel + single consonant double the consonant before a suffix beginning with a vowel. beg + ed = begged -- rob + er = robber run + ing = running -- sad + est = saddest but: wish + ed = wished (two consonants) fear + ing = fearing (two vowels) Words of two or three syllables ending in single vowel + single consonant double the final consonant if the last syllable is stressed. begin + ing = beginning -- occur + ed = occurred permit + ed = permitted -- control + er = controller The consonant is not doubled if the last syllable is not stressed. benefit + ed = benefited -- suffer + ing = suffering These words are exceptions: worship, kidnap, handicap. worship + ed = worshipped -- handicap + ed = handicapped kidnap + er = kidnapper In British English the consonant l is doubled, even if the stress does not fall on the last syllabi quarrel + ed = quarreled -- signal + ing = signallin