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Why do some words have double consonants while others have only one?


Here are some basic rules for spelling -ED and -ING words:

Rule 1: Words ending with a Consonant-Vowel-Consonant Pattern
(Review Consonants and Vowels)
One-syllable words:
ED = If the word ends in a CVC pattern, it gets a double consonant + ED. * note
ING = If the word ends in a CVC pattern, it gets a double consonant + ING. * note
Examples:
  • ED = RUB > rubbed, STOP > stopped
  • ING = HOP > hopping, SIT > sitting
    • *note: Words ending in w,x,y,z do not follow this rule, simply add ED, or ING
    Examples: snow > snowed, box > boxing, play > playing

    Two-syllable words:
    ED = If the stress is on the first syllable, the word only gets one consonant + ED.
    ING = If the stress is on the first syllable, the word only gets one consonant + ING.

    Examples:
  • visit > visited, open > opened
  • happen > happening, enter > entering
    • ED = If the stress is on the second syllable, the word gets a double consonant + ED.
    ING = If the stress is on the second syllable, the word gets a double consonant + ING.
    Examples:
  • refer > referred, admit > admitted
  • begin > beginning, permit > permitting

    • Consonants = b, c, d, f, g, h, etc.
    Vowels = a, e, i, o, u
    Take me to the two-syllable word practice page...
    Rule 2: Words ending in E
    ED = If the word ends in E, simply add ED
    ING = If the word ends in E, drop the E, add ING
    Examples:
  • ED = smile > smiled, fine > fined
  • ING = dance > dancing, skate > skating
    • Rule 3: Words ending in Y
    Consonant + Y

    ED = If the word ends in Y, and has a consonant before it, change the Y to I and add ED.
    ING = If the word ends in Y, and has a consonant before it, simply add ING.

    Examples:
  • ED = study > studied, marry > married
  • ING = carry > carrying, reply > replying
    • Vowel + Y

    ED = If the word ends in Y, and has a vowel before it, simply add ED.
    ING = If the word ends in Y, and has a vowel before it, simply add ING.

    Examples:
  • ED = play > played, stay > stayed
  • ING = enjoy > enjoying, stray > straying
    • Rule 4: Other words...
    words ending in two vowels + a consonant
    ED = If the word ends in two vowels + a consonant, simply add ED.
    ING = If the word ends in two vowels + a consonant, simply add ING.
    Examples:
  • ED = dream > dreamed, rain > rained
  • ING = need > needing, beep > beeping
    • words ending in a double consonant:
    ED = If the word ends in a double consonant, simply add ED.
    ING = If the word ends in a double consonant, simply add ING.
    Examples:
  • ED = park > parked, earn > earned
  • ING = need > needing, laugh > laughing
    • Take me to practice page #1...
    Take me to practice page #2...
    Take me to practice page #3...

    Those were some basic rules for spelling ED and ING words, but remember, there are ALWAYS exceptions to every rule...Good Luck!

    Copyright (C) 1998 by Kaye Mastin Mallory
    This quiz is part of the HTML-Only Self-Study Quizzes which is part of Activities for ESL Students, a project by The Internet TESL Journal.