Helpful Spelling Tips
If you are ever unsure about the correct spelling of a word, there is likely to be a helpful rule which you can apply. Words can be broken down into types and categories and usually fit into a spelling mould.
However, as with most aspects of the English language, there are many and varied exceptions to any given rule! Learn about the intricacies of several spelling rules below.
‘I’ before ‘e’ except after ‘c’
This mnemonic has been taught to children since the mid 1800’s and remains a useful spelling tip to this day. Usually, words with a long ‘e’ sound are spelled ‘ie’, as in ‘believe’ and ‘achieve’. When preceded by a ‘c’, though, they are switched to ‘ei’ as in ‘ceiling’, ‘receive’ and ‘deceit’.
The rule does not apply to words which have a long ‘a’ sound (as in ‘reign’), which are spelled ‘ei’, like ‘deign’, ‘reindeer’ and ‘weight’.
Neither does it apply to words where the ‘c’ is pronounced as ‘sh’, as in the words ‘prescient’ or ‘ancient’.
There are some words which are exceptions to the ‘’i’ before ‘e’’ rule, even those with a long ‘e’ sound. These include, ‘weird’, ‘protein’ and ‘seize’.
‘…ence’ or ‘…ance’?
Although spelled differently, the final syllable of both ‘independence’ and ‘insurance’ sounds exactly the same. In English, this indistinguishable vowel sound (pronounced like the ‘a’ in ‘ago’) is known as a ‘schwa’. It is this indistinct sound in speech which can lead to much confusion in spelling.
Knowledge of the word from which the noun stems can help you to decide whether it should be spelled with an ‘ence’ or an ‘ance’.
Nouns spelled with ‘ance’ stem from:
- Verbs ending in ‘ure’, ‘ant’ ‘ear’ or ‘y’. ‘Insure’ becomes ‘insurance’.
-words where the ‘ance’ is preceded by a harsh ‘k’ or ‘g’ sound, like ‘significance’.
Nouns spelled with ‘ence’ stem from:
- Verbs ending in an ‘er’ sound, like ‘prefer’, which becomes ‘preference’.
- Verbs ending in ‘ere’, like ‘interfere’, which becomes ‘interference’.
-Words where the ‘ence’ is preceded by a soft ‘g’ or ‘c’ sound, like ‘intelligence’ and ‘licence’.
There are, of course, some exceptions. The word ‘perseverance’ doesn’t fit any of the rules!
‘…se’ not ‘…ze’
Generally, words like ‘generalise’, theorise’ or ‘minimise’ are spelled with ‘se’ in British English and ‘ze’ in American English. Although ‘ze’ is not considered incorrect, it is best to stick to British English spelling throughout your writing, especially if you are at a British institution!
Necessary
The word ‘necessary’ often trips up those who aren’t sure whether there is a double ‘c’ or a double ‘s’. Remembering the children’s mnemonic ‘I wear one hat and two gloves’ might help you to remember that ‘necessary’ is spelled with one ‘c’ and two ‘s’s!
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