Double, Double Toil and Trouble

Double letters and vowels can be tricky. They might make you want to scream if you don't know the rules.  Let's take a look at some errors.

Sobing (should be sobbing)

Jabing (should be jabbing)

Cackleing (should be cackling)

Glareing (should be glaring)

Knowing the rules can help! But first, let's take a look at some definitions.

Suffix: letters added to the end of a word in order to form a new word.

    Example: the suffix "less" can be added to the root word "harm" to make the word "harmless."

Vowel: A, E, I, O, or U

Vowel Suffix: a suffix that starts with a vowel.

    Example: the vowel suffix "ing" can be added to the root word "sail" to make the word "sailing."

Not too hard, right? 

Now for the first rule: 

When adding a suffix to a word, if the word ends in a consonant (anything but A, E, I, O, or U), and a single vowel precedes the last consonant (like "nap"), double the last consonant to add a suffix. 

So, if we want to add the suffix "ing" to "nap," we double the "p" because "nap" ends in a consonant and a single vowel precedes that consonant. The double letters in "napping" help the "a" retain its vowel sound. 

However, do not double the letters if the word ends in a W or an X.

Let's practice!

Add "ing to the word "sip."

    Did you say sipping? That's correct!

Add "ing" to the word "read." 

    Did you say "reading" or readding?" "Reading" is correct because the word "read" has two vowels, not just a single vowel.

Add "ing" to the word "flow." 

    Did you say "flowwing" or "flowing?" "Flowing" is correct because the word "flow" ends in a W (one of the exceptions).

Add "ing" to the word "mop." 

    Did you say "mopping?" Good job!

Now let's discuss another rule involving vowels:

The second rule: if a word ends in a silent e (like the word "rise"), the E needs to be dropped when adding a vowel suffix (like "ing"). -Rising, not Riseing.

Let's practice!

Add "ing" to the word "bake."

    Did you say "baking?" That's correct because "ing" is a vowel suffix and the E in "bake" is silent.

Add "ly" to the word "late."

    Did you say "lately" or "latly?" "Lately is correct because "ly" is not a vowel suffix.

Add "ed" to the word "hide." 

    Did you say "hiding? That's right because the e in "hide" is silent.

Good job! Keep practicing if you need to. It doesn't have to be scary!