Simple word endings

Some rules can be followed for regular endings for verbs and nouns.

Adding -ing and -ed to verbs

In English, verbs are often changed by adding -ed (past tense) or -ing (for a sense of continuous action). These are known as verb inflections.

When adding -ed or -ing to a verb ending in e, the first spelling rule to remember is to ‘drop the e’:

The second spelling rule to remember is to ‘double the consonant’ when the verb ends with a single vowel and consonant:

Exceptions to these rules

Verbs ending in -ee, -oe or -oo keep their 2 vowels before adding -ing or -ed:

Verbs ending in -ge generally drop the e before -ing, but retain the e if the meaning would otherwise be confused, or in a few uncommon verbs:

Some words can be spelled either way:

and a few always retain the e:

Verbs ending in -l, -r, -s or -t

For verbs ending in -l, the l is doubled before the -ing or -ed, in line with the rule to double the consonant:

For verbs ending in -r, -s or -t, the letter is doubled when the word has 1 syllable, or has 2 syllables with the stress on the second:

But the t remains single if the stress is on the first syllable:

For 2-syllable verbs with the stress on the first syllable, the letter is not doubled. For some -s endings, doubling is optional but less common in Australian usage:

Changing verbs and nouns ending in -y or -ie

For verbs and nouns ending in -y, change the y to i before endings starting with e:

For verbs ending in -ie, drop the e and change the i to y: