Spelling Rules 1 As a writer, you want to make sure your readers know exactly what you mean. Misspelled words can keep your readers from focusing on your ideas. Improving your spelling can improve your writing. You can improve your spelling skills by learning some basic spelling rules.

Words that end in a silent e can be a spelling problem…. …especially when you have to add a suffix to them. The following rules will help you spell these words that end in silent e.

When adding a suffix that begins with a consonant to a word that ends with a silent e, Keep the e. Pure + ly = purely Grace + ful = graceful Exceptions: Awe + ful = awful Argue + ment = argument

When adding –ly to a word that ends with an l plus a silent e, Always drop the e. Terrible + ly = terribly Whole + ly = wholly

When adding a suffix that begins with a vowel or y to a word that ends with a silent e, Usually drop the e. Write + ing = writing Shine + y = shiny Exceptions !!!! Dye + ing =dyeing Mile + age = mileage

When adding a suffix that begins with a or o to a word that ends with ce or ge, Keep the e so the word will still have the soft c or g sound. Change + able = changeable Trace + able = traceable

When adding a suffix that begins with a vowel to a word that ends in ee or oe, Keep the e. Agree + able = agreeable Hoe + ing = hoeing

Spelling test form Choose the correct form of the word needed to fill the blank in the sentences below. 1.Mom made an __________ mess when she used handwash instead of hair spray on her hair. A. awful B. aweful 2.We will be __________ stories in our class. A. writing B. writeing