MEPX
Chapter 3 of 10All chapters
  1. 1Why English is like this
  2. 2Doubling consonants
  3. 3Adding endings
  4. 4The i before e rule
  5. 5Words people mix up
  6. 6The commonly misspelled
  7. 7Plurals and possessives
  8. 8British and American
  9. 9Spell checkers
  10. 10Getting better

Chapter 3 of 10

Adding endings

Silent e and final y.

Silent e

Drop it before a vowel suffix: hope becomes hoping. Keep it before a consonant suffix: hope becomes hopeful. Keep it after c or g when the sound must stay soft: noticeable, courageous.

  • Judgement and judgment are both acceptable, varying by region and style guide.
  • Argue becomes arguing, without the e.

Final y

After a consonant, y becomes i: happy becomes happier, carry becomes carried. After a vowel it stays: played, enjoying. Before -ing, y always stays: carrying.