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The 'y' rule

The 'y' rule

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Explainer Video

Tutor: Jonathan

Summary

The 'y' rule 

In a nutshell

The 'y' rule is used when adding suffixes to a root word that ends in 'y'. In this summary, you will learn this rule and how to put it to use.



The 'y' rule

If the word ends in a 'y', you will change the 'y' to an 'i' before adding the suffix.


Example

​​Original word

Word+suffix

happy
happiness
sleepy
sleepiness



Suffixes -est, -er, -ed

When adding the suffixes -est, -er and -ed, you have to first change the 'y' to 'i'. 


Example

​​original word

word+suffix

sunny
sunniest
merry
merrier
worry
worried


Exceptions

There are two main exceptions to the 'y' rule.


If the 'y' is proceeded by a vowel

If a word ends in a 'y', but the letter right before the 'y' is a vowel, you must keep the 'y'. 


Example

Original word

Word+suffix

play

player

joy

joyful


Suffix -ing

If a word ends in a 'y' and you want to the suffix -ing, you must keep the 'y' and not change it to an 'i'.


Example

Original word

Word+suffix

cry

crying

employ

employing

​
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Making words plural

Unit 1

Making words plural

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The 'y' rule

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The 'y' rule

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FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

What happens when adding the suffixes -est, -er and -ed?

When adding the suffixes -est, -er and -ed, you have to first change the 'y' to 'i'. For example, sunny becomes sunniest.

When do I use the 'y' rule?

The 'y' rule is used when adding suffixes to a root word that ends in 'y'.

What do you need to consider when using the 'y' rule?

If the word ends in a 'y', you will change the 'y' to an 'i' before adding the suffix.

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