18 rules · free
Spelling rules, explained simply
English spelling isn't as random as it looks. These rules cover most of the words children find tricky, each with examples, the exceptions and a memory trick.
- ie or ei?i before e except after c, when it says 'ee'15 statutory words
- Doubling the last letterWhen to double the last letter before -ed, -ing or -ous3 statutory words
- Words with double lettersHidden double letters you can't hear36 statutory words
- Silent lettersLetters you write but don't say14 statutory words
- ough, augh, eigh and earLetter strings that say different sounds20 statutory words
- -tion, -sion, -ssion or -cian?Four ways to spell the 'shun' ending10 statutory words
- Words ending in -ous-ous means 'full of', and the root word sometimes changes7 statutory words
- -able or -ible?-able after a whole word, -ible after a part3 statutory words
- Adding prefixesA prefix never changes the root word's spelling8 statutory words
- Adding endings: drop the e, change the yWhat happens to e and y when you add an ending9 statutory words
- Adding -lyTurning describing words into adverbs8 statutory words
- Hidden vowels you can't hearQuiet vowels in the middle of long words23 statutory words
- Soft c and soft gc says 's' and g says 'j' before e, i or y20 statutory words
- -cial, -tial, -cious and the 'sh' soundThe 'sh' sound spelt ci, ti or sci7 statutory words
- -ar, -er or -or at the end?Endings that all sound like 'er'7 statutory words
- British spellings-re, -our, -ise and other UK spellings9 statutory words
- HomophonesWords that sound the same but are spelt differently7 statutory words
- Making plurals-s, -es, -ies, -ves and words that change3 statutory words