Drop the E, Add -ing

Grade 4 Spelling Worksheet

Circle the rule that explains each spelling.

1. 1.

   "arrive" + -ing = "arriving". Which rule explains this spelling?

   • -ing starts with a consonant, so keep the e in "arrive".
   • "arrive" ends in a silent e and -ing starts with a vowel, so drop the e.
   • Change the e to i and add -ing.
   • "arrive" has a short vowel, so double the last consonant.
2. 2.

   "care" + -less = "careless". Which rule explains this spelling?

   • Change the e to i and add -less.
   • Always drop a final e before any ending.
   • -less starts with a vowel, so keep the e.
   • -less starts with a consonant, so keep the e in "care".
3. 3.

   "create" + -ed = "created". Which rule explains this spelling?

   • -ed starts with a consonant, so keep the e in "create".
   • "create" ends in a silent e and -ed starts with a vowel, so drop the e.
   • Keep the e in "create" so the vowel sound stays long.
   • Change the e to i and add -ed.
4. 4.

   "excite" + -ing = "exciting". Which rule explains this spelling?

   • "excite" has a short vowel, so double the last consonant.
   • "excite" ends in a silent e and -ing starts with a vowel, so drop the e.
   • Change the e to i and add -ing.
   • Keep the e in "excite" so the vowel sound stays long.
5. 5.

   "value" + -able = "valuable". Which rule explains this spelling?

   • "value" ends in a silent e and -able starts with a vowel, so drop the e.
   • "value" has a short vowel, so double the last consonant.
   • -able starts with a consonant, so keep the e in "value".
   • Keep the e in "value" so the vowel sound stays long.
6. 6.

   "safe" + -ty = "safety". Which rule explains this spelling?

   • Change the e to i and add -ty.
   • "safe" has a short vowel, so double the last consonant.
   • -ty starts with a vowel, so keep the e.
   • -ty starts with a consonant, so keep the e in "safe".
7. 7.

   "move" + -ment = "movement". Which rule explains this spelling?

   • Always drop a final e before any ending.
   • -ment starts with a consonant, so keep the e in "move".
   • Change the e to i and add -ment.
   • "move" has a short vowel, so double the last consonant.
8. 8.

   "nice" + -est = "nicest". Which rule explains this spelling?

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