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Double Consonants

Why do some words have double consonants while others have only one?
Here are some basic rules for spelling -ED and -ING words:

Rule 1:  Words ending with a Consonant-Vowel-Consonant  Pattern
                                       (Review Consonants and Vowels)
One-syllable words:
ED =  If the word ends in a CVC pattern, it gets a double consonant + ED.     * note
ING =  If the word ends in a CVC pattern, it gets a double consonant + ING. * note
Examples:
  • ED =   RUB > rubbed, STOP > stopped
  • ING = HOP > hopping,  SIT > sitting
  • *note: Words ending in w,x,y,z do not follow this rule, simply add ED, or ING
    Examples: snow > snowed, box > boxing, play > playing

    Two-syllable words:
    ED =  If the stress is on the first syllable, the word only gets one consonant + ED.
    ING = If the stress is on the first syllable, the word only gets one consonant + ING.

    Examples:
  • visit > visited, open > opened
  • happen > happening,  enter > entering
  • ED =  If the stress is on the second syllable, the word gets a double consonant + ED.
    ING = If the stress is on the second syllable, the word gets a double consonant  + ING.
    Examples:
  • refer > referred,     admit > admitted
  • begin > beginning, permit > permitting

  • Consonants = b, c, d, f, g, h, j, k, l, m, n, p, q, r, s, t, v, w, x, y, z
    Vowels = a, e, i, o, u 
                               Practice two-syllable ed-ing endings...

    Rule 2: Words ending in E
    ED =  If the word ends in E, simply add D
    ING =  If the word ends in E, drop the E, add ING

    Examples:
  • ED =   smile > smiled, fine > fined
  • ING = dance > dancing, skate > skating
  • Rule 3:  Words ending in Y
    Consonant + Y

    ED =  If the word ends in Y, and has a consonant before it, change the Y to I and add ED.
    ING =  If the word ends in Y, and has a consonant before it, simply add ING.

    Examples:
  • ED =   study > studied, marry > married
  • ING = carry > carrying, reply > replying
  • Vowel + Y

    ED =  If the word ends in Y, and has a vowel before it, simply add ED.
    ING =  If the word ends in Y, and has a vowel before it, simply add ING.

    Examples:
  • ED =   play > played, stay > stayed
  • ING = enjoy > enjoying, stray > straying
  • Rule 4:  Other words...
    words ending in two vowels + a consonant
    ED =  If the word ends in two vowels + a consonant, simply add ED.
    ING =  If the word ends in two vowels + a consonant, simply add ING.
     

    Examples:
  • ED =   dream > dreamed, rain > rained
  • ING = need > needing, beep > beeping
  • words ending in a double consonant:
    ED =  If the word ends in a double consonant, simply add ED.
    ING =  If the word ends in a double consonant, simply add ING.
    Examples:
  • ED =   park > parked, earn > earned
  • ING = need > needing, laugh > laughing
  • Practice ed-ing endings #1...
    Practice ed-ing endings #2...
    Practice ed-ing endings #3...

    These are some basic rules for spelling ED and ING words, but remember, there are ALWAYS exceptions to every rule...Good Luck!

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