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Spelling Rules for the Verb TensesForming the main verb in some English verb tenses involves addingendings. Whenever a new element is added to a word, there may bespelling changes occurring as a result of phonological interaction

between the words final letters and the endings first letter. To knowmore, read these sections of our review on spelling rules for theEnglish verb tenses.

1. Spelling rules for the Present Simple2. Spelling rules for the Past Simple3. Spelling rules for the Progressive tenses (forming the PresentParticiple)4. Special Cases

Make sure you apply these grammar rules, as these are basic spellingissues. In order to know how to use each of these tenses correctly,please click on each tense above to read the related full article.

1. Spelling rules for the Present Simple

Spelling rules for adding s in the third person singular

When adding the s ending to a verb in the third person singular inEnglish, there may be some spelling changes:

Add esto a verb which ends in a whistling sound ( s,sh,ch,x,z,o)I wash Suzy washes her car once a week.

I do Suzy does the dishes every Wednesday.

In verbs that end with ypreceded by a consonant, drop the y,replace it with iand add es. However, If the y is preceded by a vowel(a,e,i,o,u) just add s.You study Dan studies English twice a week.but:We playSharon plays football 3 times a week.

2. Spelling rules for the Past Simple

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Spelling rules for adding ed to regular past verbs

When adding the edending to a regular verb in the Past Simple inEnglish, there may be some spelling changes:

Add only dto a verb which ends in e.change Suzy changed her hairstyle last week.create Bach created an abundance of musical pieces.

In verbs that end with ypreceded by a consonant, drop the y,replace it with iand add ed. However, If the y is preceded by a vowel

(a,e,i,o,u) just add ed.study Dan studied a lot for this test.but:playSharon played football for 3 hours on the weekend.

The doubling rule: When a verb ends with a letter sequence ofconsonant-vowel-consonant, double the final consonant.-If the verb is longer than one syllable, double only if the stress fallson the last syllable.

-The letters h,w,x,yare never doubled ( fix-fixed).stop (t=consonant, o=vowel, p=consonant):We sto pped at the store to get some gasoline.

prefer (f=consonant, e=vowel, r=consonant, stress falls on last syllable/fer/ -- double!) :My friends preferredthat we stay at home and not go out.

but:visit (s=consonant, i=vowel, t=consonant, stress does not fall on last

syllable /sit/ -- don't double!) :Donna visited her grandparents in New Jersey two weeks ago.

3. Spelling rules for the Progressive tenses

Forming the Present Participle

All the progressive verb tense forms are created with the auxiliary verbto be and thepresent participleform of the verb. Make sure you spell

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this form correctly according to the following rules:

Spelling rules for adding ing to a verb

When adding the ing ending to a verb in order to form the presentparticiple in English, there may be some spelling changes:

When a verb ends with e, drop the e before adding ing.make Susan is making a special dinner this evening.[ is makingis in the Present Progressive tense]

write The professorwas writing his new book when he was asked tostart working on a different project.

[ was writingis in the Past Progressive tense]

In verbs that end with yadd ingwith no change !study Dan will be studying for the test tomorrow afternoon.[ will be studyingis in the future progressive tense]

When a verbs ends in ie, drop the ie, replace it with y, and add ing.die dying, lie lying, tie tying, vie vying

Susan was tying her shoe laces while she was lying on her bed.[ was tying, was lyingare in the Past Progressive tense]

The reality show contestants will be vying for the first prize.[ will be vyingis in the future progressive tense]

The doubling rule: When a verb ends with a letter sequence ofconsonant-vowel-consonant, double the final consonant.-If the verb is longer than one syllable, double only if the stress fallson the last syllable.

-The letters h,w,x,y are never doubled ( fix-fixing).beg (b=consonant, e=vowel, g=consonant, stress falls on the last andonly syllable /beg/ -- double!) :Please believe me, I am be gging you ![ am beggingis in the Present Progressive tense]

but:visit (s=consonant, i=vowel, t=consonant, stress does not fall on lastsyllable /sit/ -- don't double!) :Donna is visiting her grandparents this evening.

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4. Special Cases:

The following special cases are relevant when adding eitheredoring,as explained below. We present here the more common irregularities,as others are very rare in usage. Whenever unsure about the spellingof a specific verb form in question, you can rely on the WhiteSmokedictionary for a professional spelling check.

The letterlis doubled in British English even if the final syllable isnot stressed.Rodney was traveling in the Swiss Alps, when he got news of hisnewborn son.

[American English]

Rodney was trave lling in the Swiss Alps, when he got news of hisnewborn son.[British English]

Double thep in the verb equip, as the u represents a consonantsound /w/.My company is equi pping us with new computers.

Double the zin the verb quiz.My teacherqui zzed us on the irregular verbs in English.

Add a kafter the final cin verbs such as to panic, to traffic, tofrolic, and to picnic in order to retain the original /k/ sound of the letterc.

After he heard about the traffic king of drugs, he completely panicked.

Keep the final e in certain verbs ending with ge, in order to retain the/j/ sound of the verb. For example, to singe, to binge, to impinge.Ron was bin geing all night long, sin geing his mustache by mistakeafter trying to roast some marshmallows on the stove.