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Affixes are either prefixes [syllables added
before the word: dispose, propose)
or suffixes (syllables added after the word: expectant,
expectancy, expectation).
IMPORTANT: In the CPE exam spellings must be correct for
the answer to be considered correct. Below are some spelling
rules when adding affixes. |
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DOUBLE THE FINAL
CONSONANT WHEN YOU ADD
–ED,
–ING,
–ER
OR
–EST
TO ... |
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1) A one-syllable word which ends in
consonant-vowel consonant:
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run - runner,
clap - clapping (but bend - bending,
strange - stranger, bad - badly,
etc.). But final w, x and y are
never doubled: flowed, taxing. |
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2) Verbs of two or more syllables which end
in consonant-vowel-consonant and the final syllable is stressed:
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occur - occurrence,
forget - forgetting, admit -
admittance.
(but forgetful, developing). |
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3) Verbs which end in "l" after one vowel in
British English (in American English they may not double):
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travel - traveller,
cancel - cancellation. |
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DON'T DOUBLE
THE FINAL CONSONANT WHEN ... |
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1) There are two final consonants:
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disappear - disappearance |
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2) There are two vowels before the final
consonant:
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disappear - disappearance |
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3) The verb ends in a vowel:
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4) The stress is not on the final syllable: |
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CHANGE Y
TO
I ... |
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1) In words which end in y after a
consonant, the y becomes i when a suffix is added:
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happy - happiness; try - trial
/ tries; study - studious;
family - familiar; rely reliance |
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2) But note these exceptions: |
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i becomes y with –ing:
lie - lying; die - dying |
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dry - drier / drily
but dryness; shy - shyness / shyly; day -
daily |
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DROP THE FINAL
–E ... |
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1) If there is a consonant before it and the
suffix begins with a vowel {-er -ed, -ing, -ance. -alien, etc.):
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nonsense - nonsensical; amaze -
amazing; sane - sanity |
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Note these exceptions: words ending in
–ce, –ge and -ee: |
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noticeable; knowledgeable;
disagreeable |
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2) The final -e is not dropped when
the suffix begins with a consonant:
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safe - safety; arrange -
arrangement; disgrace - disgraceful
(exception: argue - argument). |
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ADDING PREFIXES ... |
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When a prefix is added (before the word), the
spelling does not change, e g. with dis-, un- and
ir-:
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appoint - disappoint; satisfied
- dissatisfied; truthful - untruthful; necessary -
unnecessary; relevant - irrelevant. |
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Note: Use il-, im-
and ir- (not in-)
before words beginning with l, m, p
or r = illegible, immodest, immigrant,
impractical, irresponsible. |
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On the next page you will be able to practise
some CPE typical errors. |
