The Spelling Rules for Adding Suffixes:

When do you change the letter y ?
When does the y stay the same ?

All these words end in the letter y, used as a vowel:

cry

copy

crazy

beauty

silly

The 'Change Y' Rule, Part 1:

When adding a suffix to a word ending y, we usually change the y to i:

cry + ed = cried

copy + er = copier

crazy + est = craziest

beauty + ful = beautiful

silly + ness = silliness

If the suffix is s, we must change the y to i and then add es:

cry + s = cries

copy + s = copies

party + s = parties

The next page will show you when the y does not change. But first get test yourself in changing the y. Remember the -ies ending.

Add the suffix to the root word	Type the answer
fry + ed
dirty + er
curry + s
marry + ed
funny + est
lazy + ness
plenty + ful
try + s
easy + ly
supply + ed
happy + er
pretty + est

Skip this exercise and go to the next part of this unit: Rule-breakers for y words. *

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