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Grade 4 · Spelling · Spelling rules

4th Grade Drop the E, Add -ing worksheets

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Drop the E, Add -ing

Grade 4 Spelling Worksheet - Building Confidence

NameDate

Circle the rule that explains each spelling.

  1. "skate" + -ing = "skating". Which rule explains this spelling?

    • Keep the e in "skate" so the vowel sound stays long.
    • "skate" ends in a silent e and -ing starts with a vowel, so drop the e.
    • Change the e to i and add -ing.

  2. "bake" + -ing = "baking". Which rule explains this spelling?

    • "bake" ends in a silent e and -ing starts with a vowel, so drop the e.
    • -ing starts with a consonant, so keep the e in "bake".
    • "bake" has a short vowel, so double the last consonant.

  3. "smile" + -ing = "smiling". Which rule explains this spelling?

    • "smile" ends in a silent e and -ing starts with a vowel, so drop the e.
    • "smile" has a short vowel, so double the last consonant.
    • Keep the e in "smile" so the vowel sound stays long.

  4. "dance" + -ing = "dancing". Which rule explains this spelling?

    • "dance" has a short vowel, so double the last consonant.
    • "dance" ends in a silent e and -ing starts with a vowel, so drop the e.
    • Keep the e in "dance" so the vowel sound stays long.

  5. "wave" + -ing = "waving". Which rule explains this spelling?

    • Keep the e in "wave" so the vowel sound stays long.
    • Change the e to i and add -ing.
    • "wave" ends in a silent e and -ing starts with a vowel, so drop the e.

  6. "write" + -ing = "writing". Which rule explains this spelling?

    • "write" ends in a silent e and -ing starts with a vowel, so drop the e.
    • "write" has a short vowel, so double the last consonant.
    • -ing starts with a consonant, so keep the e in "write".

  7. "care" + -ful = "careful". Which rule explains this spelling?

    • Change the e to i and add -ful.
    • -ful starts with a consonant, so keep the e in "care".
    • "care" has a short vowel, so double the last consonant.

  8. "make" + -ing = "making". Which rule explains this spelling?

    • "make" has a short vowel, so double the last consonant.
    • Keep the e in "make" so the vowel sound stays long.
    • "make" ends in a silent e and -ing starts with a vowel, so drop the e.
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4th Grade Drop the E, Add -ing worksheet 1 – printable PDF
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About this worksheet

Dropping the final e before an ending that starts with a vowel helps students spell many common words accurately matters in fourth grade because spelling work now connects word meaning, word parts, and editing accuracy. Fourth graders may keep the e in makeing, double a letter and write makking, or drop the e before endings like -ful and -ment that start with a consonant. This worksheet keeps the focus on one spelling pattern at a time, and every wrong choice is a mistake a real speller might make, so children cannot get credit by ruling out silly answers. Students spell words with -ing, -ed, -er, -able, -ful, and -ment, choose the rule that explains a spelling, find the base word, and spot words like being and seeing that keep their e.

Support versions use more familiar words and fewer choices. Standard versions add harder words, and challenge versions add longer words and the cases where the pattern does not apply. Ask your child to say the word, mark the meaningful part or spelling change, and then check whether the written form still matches the meaning. That process is slower than guessing, but it builds spelling habits that transfer to real writing.

What your child will learn

  • Drop final e before an ending that starts with a vowel
  • Keep final e before an ending that starts with a consonant
  • Keep an e that is sounded, as in being and seeing
  • Avoid doubling when the final e rule applies

Common Core standard: L.4.2.D

Worked example

Make becomes making because the silent e drops before -ing. Hope becomes hopeful because -ful starts with a consonant, so the e stays.

Common mistake

Writing makeing by keeping the silent e before -ing.

Helpful hint

If the base word ends in silent e and the ending starts with a vowel, drop the e.

Next skill: Change Y to IEarlier: Doubling Before an Ending

Questions parents ask

What is the most common mistake with drop the e, add -ing?

Writing makeing by keeping the silent e before -ing.

How can I help my child with drop the e, add -ing?

If the base word ends in silent e and the ending starts with a vowel, drop the e.

Are these 4th grade spelling worksheets free to print?

Yes. All 6 printable versions on this page are free to download and print, with no account needed.

Similar: Doubling Before an Ending · Change Y to I

More 4th grade spelling rules

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