Page 148 - (DK) Help Your Kids with Language Arts

146 SPELLING

Words ending in -e or -y SEE ALSO

130–131 Vowel sounds
WORDS ENDING IN -E OR -Y OFTEN CHANGE   132–133 Consonant sounds
140–141 Roots
THEIR SPELLINGS WHEN A SUFFIX IS ADDED.  142–143 Prefixes and suffixes
Silent letters 160–161 
The final -e in words is usually silent. If a suffix
is added, the -e is sometimes dropped. A final -y
Root word Suffix New word
sometimes changes to an i when a suffix is added.
argue -ment argument
awe -ful awful
due -ly duly
Words ending in -e nine -th ninth
The silent -e serves an important function by changing the true -ly truly
vowel sound of the previous syllable. For example, the words
whole -ly wholly
plan and plane are distinguished in spelling only by the
silent -e, and this difference is reflected in the way they wise -dom wisdom
are pronounced. When adding a suffix, the spelling of words △ Exceptions
ending in a silent -e follows certain rules. There are many exceptions to the rules,
some of which are listed in this table.

▷ Rule 1
If a word ends globe -al global
in a silent -e, the
silent -e is dropped
when a suffix
beginning with fame -ous famous
a vowel is added.

A silent -e produces Add a suffix that The silent -e is replaced
a long vowel sound. begins with a vowel. by a suffix that begins
with a vowel.
▷ Rule 2
If a word ends in a
silent -e, the silent spite -ful spiteful
-e is kept when a
suffix beginning
with a consonant state -ment statement
is added.

A silent -e produces Add a suffix that begins The silent -e is
a long vowel sound. with a consonant. needed to retain
a long vowel sound.
▷ Rule 3
If a word ends courage -ous courageous
in -ce or -ge,
the silent -e must
be retained with
the suffixes -able notice -able noticeable
and -ous.

A silent -e can follow Add the relevant suffix. The silent -e is needed to
the letter c or g. retain a soft “c” or “g” sound.