Key spelling rules

Words are made up of vowels (a, e, i, o, u) and consonants (b, c, d, etc.). Some words, such as phenomenon, are hard to spell and there are often no rules to help you. Other words have prefixes and/or suffixes (e.g. insensitivity) and their spelling may adhere to certain rules. Writing Tip Although English spelling can be difficult, try to remember some of the rules as they will help you correct or avoid mistakes. However, bear in mind that the rules sometimes have exceptions. Here are some spelling rules for adding suffixes and verb endings to words. Words ending in ‘e’ Lose the final ‘e’ – if the suffix begins with a vowel or if ‘-ing’ is added visible → visibility abbreviate → abbreviation refuse → refusal undeniable → undeniably insure → insurance suffice → sufficient intrigue → intriguing write → writing