DEMONSTRATION ONLY: This demonstration presents an abbreviated version of the complete COMPASS course. Click 'Next' at the bottom of the screen or make a selection from the links on the left to begin. Not all links are available for the demo.

Spelling, Capitalization, and Punctuation

Identify Common Spelling Errors

There are some spelling situations that occur frequently and can normally (there are some exceptions, which are rare) be answered correctly by the application of the following rules.

Rule 1: Words with an ei or ie sequence:

Examples: belief and freight

a) If the word is pronounced with the long e sound, use ie except after the letter c; then use ei.

b) If the word in not pronounced with the long e, use ei.

1) For each of the words listed below, select the correct spelling. Click here when you are finished.

Rule 2: Words ending with the letter y which require adding a suffix.

Examples, changing silly to silliness, or changing try to trying

a) If the suffix is “ing” just affix "ing" to the word.

Example: try becomes trying

b) If the suffix is not "ing," change the y to i .

Example: try becomes tried

2) Select the correct spelling for adding the following suffixes. Click here when you are finished.

Rule 3: Words which are plurals.

For example, the plural of match is matches.

a) If the plural involves no more syllables, add s.

b) If the plural involves one more syllable, add es.

3) Select the correct spelling for adding the following plurals. Click here when you are finished.

Rule 4: Words needing a suffix.

Example: occur is changed to occurring

If the word ends with a single vowel and then a consonant, and the last syllable of the word is accented, then double the final consonant and affix the suffix.

Example: confer is changed to conferred

4) Select the correct spelling for adding the following suffixes. Click here when you are finished.

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