Sounds & Spelling—Spelling Rules

The general -ch vs. -tch spelling rule is:

1. -ch: following 2 vowels

2. -ch: following a consonant

3. -ch: at the start of a word

4. -tch: following 1 vowel

At the end of a word, the general -ge vs -dge spelling rule is:

1. -ge : when following a consonant

2. -ge : when following a long vowel*

3. -dge: when following a short vowel*

At the beginning or in the middle of a word: the spelling is always -ge.

*Short vowels make a short sound, as opposed to long vowels that make a long sound.

The general -ou vs -ow spelling rule is:

1.  -ou: at the start of a word

2. -ou: in the middle of a word

3. -ow: at the end of a word

4. -ow: right before a single -l or -n

The general -oi vs -oy spelling rule is:

1. -oi: in the middle of word

2. -oy: at the end of a word

3. -oy: in compound words* originating in short words ending in -oy

*A compound word is a combination of 2 or more words together, creating a new word

The general -ai vs -ay spelling rule is:

1. -ai: in the middle or beginning of a word

2. -ay: at the end of a word

3. -ay: in compound words* beginning with a short word that ends in -ay

*A compound word is a combination of 2 or more words together, creating a new word. 

The general -ck, -k or -ke spelling rule is:

1. -ck: following a single short vowel*

2. -k: following a consonant or double vowels

3. -ke: following a long vowel*

*Short vowels make a short sound, as opposed to long vowels making a long sound.

Compound words made with one-syllable words also follow these rules.