Read a rule, then take its quiz.
Rule 1
I before E, except after C, or when it sounds like 'ay'.
When I and E sit together making an 'ee' sound, I usually comes first. After the letter C, flip it to EI. If the pair sounds like 'ay' (as in neighbor), use EI.
Rule 2
Drop a final silent E before a suffix that starts with a vowel.
When a word ends in a silent E and you add -ing, -ed, -able, -er and so on, drop the E. Keep the E if the suffix starts with a consonant (-ment, -ful, -ly).
Rule 3
1-1-1: one syllable, one vowel, one final consonant → double it.
Before a vowel suffix, double the last consonant if the word has one syllable, one vowel, and ends in one consonant (run → running). For longer words, double only if the stress is on the last syllable (begin → beginning, but open → opening).
Rule 4
Consonant + Y → change Y to I before most suffixes.
If a word ends in a consonant followed by Y, change the Y to I before adding a suffix (happy → happiness). Keep the Y if the suffix is -ing, or if a vowel comes before the Y (play → played).
Rule 5
Add -s; add -es after s, x, z, ch, sh; F often becomes -ves.
Most nouns just add -s. Words ending in s, x, z, ch or sh add -es so you can say them. Many words ending in f or fe change to -ves. Some words ending in o add -es.
Rule 6
If the root is a whole word, it's usually -able.
Use -able when what comes before it is a complete word (accept → acceptable). Use -ible when the root isn't a word on its own (vis- → visible, terr- → terrible).
Rule 7
Just stick the prefix on — even if it doubles a letter.
Adding un-, dis-, mis-, re-, im- or il- never changes the spelling of the root. That's why 'misspell' has two S's and 'unnecessary' has two N's.
Rule 8
Their/there/they're, your/you're, its/it's — meaning decides.
Homophones sound the same but mean different things. Test contractions by expanding them: if 'it is' fits, write it's. If 'they are' fits, write they're. 'There' is a place (it has 'here' inside).
