Spelling Rules

Spelling and Pronunciation

	Spelling Rules
syllables	Every syllable has one vowel sound.
c	C can be pronounced as /k/ or /s/.
c	C is pronounced as /s/ before an e, i, or y (cent, city, cycle).
c	It is pronounced as /k/ before everything else (cat, clip).
g	G is pronounced as /g/ or /j/.
g	G may be pronounced as /j/ before an e, i, or y (gem, giant, gym).
g	It is pronounced as /g/ before everything else (garden, glad).
q	Q is always followed by a u (queen).
f, l,s	Double the consonants f, l, and s at the end of a one-syllable word that has just one vowel (stiff, spell, pass).
k	To spell the sound of /k/ at the end of a word, we use ck or k. Use ck after a short vowel (sick). After everything else, use a k (milk).
a,e,o,u	A, e, o, and u usually say their name at the end of a syllable (a-pron, me, go, u-nit).
v, j	Words do not end in v or j. We add a silent-e at the end of the word (have).
I,o	I and o may be pronounced as /i/ and /o/ before two consonants (kind, sold).
j	/J/ is spelled dge after a short vowel (edge).