#69
How do we know when to double the last letter of a word? When writing a verb in its –ing form, is swiming or swimming correct? What looks better to you: fixing or fixxing? Well in this helpful Georgal Tip, you will learn when to double or not, so that you learn to spell right!
Spelling Tip 1
For 1-syllable verbs that end on –g, –m, –n, –p, –t double the last letter and add -ing.
Examples:
– hug: “This is me, hugging my mother on her birthday.”
– swim: “Gloria was swimming at the sports club between 4 and 6 pm yesterday.”
– sit: “Is the teacher sitting or standing in class right now?”
– run: “Sophie is always in a hurry, she is running everywhere.”
– stop: “Why is the train stopping at this station?”
Spelling Tip 2
When the last three letters of a verb finish with: consonant + vowel + consonant, double the last letter:
plan-planning
trim – trimming
stop – stopping
drop – dropping
begin – beginning
dig – digging
Be Careful
NOTE: Words like dream, eat, need, and write DO NOT follow the consonant + vowel + consonant = double ending.
These words also DO NOT follow the rule, only add -ING because they end on –w, –x, –y.
| Examples: | snow – snowing box – boxing |
mix – mixing play – playing |
EXERCISE
DIRECTIONS: Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb.
Example:
| This is me, _______________ next to my best friend. | |||||||
|
*Note: A misspelled word counts as incorrect.
ANSWER KEY
- Careful! You are stepping on the flowers.
- When teaching, standing is better than sitting down.
- It isn’t snowing anymore. Can we go outside and play?
- Are you going running this evening in the park or not?
- Mark is planning his next vacation to the Riviera Maya.
KEEP IN MIND!
The consonant + vowel + consonant = double spelling tip also applies to -ED endings, with the same exceptions:
step – stepped
rub – rubbed
permit – permitted
Examples
1. Oh no! He stepped on wet cement.
2. Aladdin rubbed the lamp and made 3 wishes.
3. Smoking is no longer permitted in public closed spaces.
