1-1-1 Rule (spelling rule)

The 1-1-1 Rule is a VERY IMPORTANT spelling rule.

It teaches you how to add a suffix to a base word.  Take a base word, and ask yourself does it have...

1 syllable?

1 short vowel?

1 consonant after the short vowel?

IF SO, double the final consonant and add the suffix.

Examples:  These base words DO follow the 1-1-1 Rule.

stop=  stopped

plan= planned

drip= dripping

Examples:  These words DO NOT follow the 1-1-1 Rule.

melt= melted

help=helping

look= looking

Watch out!  Don't double the final consonant for words that end in one vowel and the consonants w, x, or y- just add (ed) and (ing).
examples:  snow, fix, play, thaw, chew