The Final y Spelling Rule drives people crazy. I just typed in “final y spelling rule” into Google and 40,300,000 searches came back, so if you searched the same, you are not alone.
That final y is one of the most adaptable letters. Of course you all remember that the vowels are a, e, i, o, and u…plus sometimes y. This “sometimes y” is true because, by definition, every English syllable has a vowel sound, and when y follows a consonant at the end of a syllable or serves as the syllable itself, it produces the long /i/ vowel sound (when accented) or long /e/ vowel sound (when unaccented). Examples: by/pass, ba/by
Also, some words have y in the middle of a syllable and it is pronounced as a short /i/ vowel sound. Examples: gym, mys/tic
However, the final y spelling at the end of the syllable, when adding on a suffix, is the spelling that bothers most writers. When do you keep the y and when do you drop it before adding on the suffix?
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The Final y Spelling Rule
Keep the y when adding an ending if the word ends in a vowel, then a y (delay-delayed), or if the ending begins with an i (copy-copying). Change the y to i when adding an ending if the word ends in a consonant, then a y (pretty-prettiest).
Exceptions to the rule: daily, dryly, dryness, paid, said, shyly, shyness, slyly, slyness
Check out the song! The Final y Spelling Rule
Hickory Dickory Y
(to the tune of “Hickory Dickory Dock”)
If a root ends in a vowel,
Hickory, dickory dock,
And after that a y.
The mouse ran up the clock.
Just keep the y—and then said I,
The clock struck one—the mouse ran down,
“Add on the suffix to end.”
Hickory dickory dock.
But if a consonant then
Hickory, dickory dock,
A y should end a word,
The mouse ran up the clock.
Just change the y into an i
The clock struck two—the mouse ran down,
Except if the suffix has i.
Hickory dickory dock.
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A Model Grades 3-8 Spelling Scope and Sequence
Preview the Grades 3-8 Spelling Scope and Sequence tied to the author’s comprehensive grades 3-8 Language Strand programs. The instructional scope and sequence includes grammar, usage, mechanics, spelling, and vocabulary. Teachers and district personnel are authorized to print and share this planning tool, with proper credit and/or citation. Why reinvent the wheel? Also check out my articles on Grammar Scope and Sequence, Mechanics Scope and Sequence, and Vocabulary Scope and Sequence.
FREE DOWNLOAD TO ASSESS THE QUALITY OF PENNINGTON PUBLISHING AMERICAN ENGLISH AND CANADIAN ENGLISH SPELLING PROGRAMS. Check out these grades 3-8 programs HERE. Administer my FREE comprehensive Diagnostic Spelling Assessment with audio file and recording matrix. It has 102 words (I did say comprehensive) and covers all common spelling patterns and conventional spelling rules. It only takes 22 minutes and includes an audio file with test administration instructions. Once you see the gaps in your students’ spelling patterns, you’re going to want to fill those gaps.
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Mark Pennington, M.A. Reading Specialist
Thirty-six years teaching ELA and reading, elementary through community college, plus district reading specialist. He wrote every program on this site.
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