Spelling rules are guidelines that illustrate how to write a word.
The rules apply to most words, but watch out for exceptions.
The most common general spelling rules are:
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Only one rule applies to every English word: Each syllable contains at least 1 vowel.
A syllable is a group of letters.
Together this group of letters is pronounced as one sound.
Each syllable must always contain at least one vowel.
For example:
The word fantastic has 3 syllables.
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			 Syllables:  | 
			
			 1  | 
			
			 2  | 
			
			 3  | 
		
| 
			 fan  | 
			
			 tas  | 
			
			 tic  | 
		
The word monkey has 2 syllables.
| 
			 Syllables:  | 
			
			 1  | 
			
			 2  | 
		
| 
			 mon  | 
			
			 key  | 
		
A vowel is a letter representing a sound.
The vowels are the letters:
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			 a  | 
			
			 e  | 
			
			 i  | 
		
| 
			 o  | 
			
			 u  | 
			
			 y*  | 
		
*y is sometimes also used as a consonant.
For instance:
| 
			 The word:  | 
			
			 Contains the vowels:  | 
		||
| 
			 fantastic  | 
			
			 a  | 
			
			 a  | 
			
			 i  | 
		
| 
			 monkey  | 
			
			 o  | 
			
			 e  | 
			
			 y  | 
		
A consonant is a letter representing a sound.
The consonants are the letters:
| 
			 b  | 
			
			 c  | 
			
			 d  | 
			
			 f  | 
			
			 g  | 
			
			 h  | 
			
			 j  | 
		
| 
			 k  | 
			
			 l  | 
			
			 m  | 
			
			 n  | 
			
			 p  | 
			
			 q  | 
			
			 r  | 
		
| 
			 s  | 
			
			 t  | 
			
			 v  | 
			
			 w  | 
			
			 x  | 
			
			 y*  | 
			
			 z  | 
		
*y is sometimes also used as a vowel.
For instance:
| 
			 The word:  | 
			
			 Contains the consonants:  | 
		|||||
| 
			 fantastic  | 
			
			 f  | 
			
			 n  | 
			
			 t  | 
			
			 s  | 
			
			 t  | 
			
			 c  | 
		
| 
			 monkey  | 
			
			 m  | 
			
			 n  | 
			
			 k  | 
		|||







![The word “laugh” is spelled l-a-u-g-h, but is pronounced [laf].](/sites/default/files/inline-images/ie2230-8-pronunciation-differ-spelling-TEMP.png)
