Version 01

Grammar on the Go!

© 2006 by Open School BC
All rights reserved. Open School BC content and modified versions of this course may neither
be resold or distributed in whole or in part without permission from Open School BC, nor be
transferred to other learning management systems or services without prior permission from
Open School BC.

Acknowledgements:
Illustration, page 108, Fish and Worm,
used with the permission of Brian Glover and Faith Glover

Print History

New, August 2006

Project Manager: Monique Brewer

Writers: Heidi Greco, Mike Sherman, Monique Brewer
Reviewer/Editor: Monica Morris
Editor: Lee Mackenzie MacAnally, Adrian Hill
Production Technicians: Laurie Lozoway, Brian Glover
 Grammar
on the Go!
Which witch is which?
Making sure our words are
spelled correctly can help
avoid confusion in our writ-
ing so we know that the
messages we send are clear
and correct.

Spelling Basics 3

Affixes 5

Dividing into Syllables 15

Forming Plurals 21

Correct Word Forms 25

Answer Key

Grammar on the Go! Spelling 1

2 Spelling Grammar on the Go!
 Spelling Basics
The Importance of Spelling

Spelling is important in written communication. If you

misspell words, your readers might not understand you.
If you are having some difficulty with spelling, do not be
discouraged. Spelling can be mastered. First you must convince
yourself that correct spelling is important. Then you must find
your difficulty, look for the remedy, and then apply it.

How to Study Spelling

Here are a few suggestions for studying troublesome words:

Look at the word closely from left to right.

Say each word carefully, pronouncing each syllable
distinctly.
Think about the word. How many syllables are there?
Does it have a prefix or a suffix? Does it have a root
word?
Write the word. Check it. If it is wrong, start again with
step one until you can spell it correctly.

a e i o u

Grammar on the Go! Spelling 3

 Vowels

The vowels are a, e, i, o, u (and sometimes y). Y is a vowel in

the word type and when it is used at the end of a word, as in
quickly. In words like yacht, yes, and yak, Y is a consonant.
Any letter that is not a vowel is a consonant.

A vowel may be long or short. We say a vowel is long when it

names itself within the word. This is indicated by a straight
horizontal line above the vowel:

bāke sēēk pīne nōte mūte

We say a vowel is short when it takes the sound given in the

following words. This is indicated by the ̌symbol above the
vowel:

căt pĕt tĭn hŏt bŭck

A vowel may also be silent. This means it is not sounded. The

most frequent silent vowel is the e at the end of a word:

bake pine coke cute bike

4 Spelling Grammar on the Go!

 Affixes
New words can be built up from root words by using affixes.
A root word is a base word to which affixes are attached.
For example, the words clearly, cleared, and unclear share a
common root word: clear.

An affix is an element added to the root or stem of a word to

change its meaning. An affix, then, is an addition that may be
either at the beginning of a word or at its end.

trans + port + ation = transportation

im + poss + ible = impossible

Prefixes

An affix at the beginning of a word is called a prefix. A prefix

is a group of letters fastened to the front of a root or stem.
Consider the Latin origin of the word:

pre (before) + fixus (to fasten) = prefix

A tremendous number of words deform

begin with prefixes. The prefix is in interact
bold: construction

sure—unsure
increase—decrease Prefixes can completely or
bicycle—tricycle partially alter the meaning of
the root word.

Grammar on the Go! Spelling 5

 The following chart contains a number of commonly used
prefixes.

Prefix Meaning Example

ad, af, ag, at to, toward adventure, affix, agree, attend
anti against antibody
bi two bicycle
com, con with, together communicate, contain
contra, counter against contraband, counteract
de, dis down, not decrease, decline, disagree
ex out, out of exclaim, except
in in, into increase, insure
insane, impossible, illegible,
in, im, il, ir not
irresponsible

6 Spelling Grammar on the Go!

 Prefixes

Review the meanings of in-, im-, il- and ir-. Then, write the
negative version of the word into the chart below. Check the
dictionary if you are unsure.

Root Word Negative Form

Human

Visible

Efficient

Logical

Replaceable

Polite

Mortal

Reversible

Competent

Patient

Timed

Practical

Active

Legal

Direct

Regular

Eligible

Responsible

18

Grammar on the Go! Spelling 7

 Suffixes

An affix at the end of a word is called a suffix. A suffix is a

group of letters fastened to the end of a root.

Suffixes, like prefixes, can add to or alter the meaning of a

word. Many suffixes are used in English. The following charts
give some of the more common ones.

Noun Forming Suffixes

Suffix Meaning Example

-er worker
-or actor
-ian musician
-ant attendant
one who
-ent superintendent
-eer mountaineer
-ess actress
-ist artist
-age courage
-ance attendance
-ence independence
-ation hesitation
-dom kingdom
-hood state of being or falsehood
-ism condition socialism
-ment statement
-ness the act of loveliness
-ship friendship
-ity acidity
-ry rivalry
-ance performance
-ion construction

8 Spelling Grammar on the Go!

 Adjective Forming Suffixes

Suffix Meaning Example

-ive descriptive
possessing,
-ish selfish
having
-ic chronic
the quality of
-al musical

-ary imaginary
-ous courageous
without
-ly lovely
full of
-less friendless
like
-ful hopeful
towards
-like childlike
-ward westward

Creating Words

Complete the following equations to formulate new words.

Then, write a definition for the new word.

1. act + or =
Definition

2. king + dom =
Definition

Grammar on the Go! Spelling 9

 3. rival + ry =
Definition

4. love + ly =
Definition

5. construct + ion =
Definition

10 Spelling Grammar on the Go!

 Adding Suffixes

You learned that a suffix is an affix added at the end of a root

or a root stem. Sometimes when you add a suffix, you may
have to modify the spelling.

When the Root Word Ends in “e”

Words that end in e may give you some difficulty. Here are a
few simple rules that will tell you when to drop the final e and
when to retain it.

Drop the e before adding a

Imagine­—imaginable
suffix that begins with a
note­—notable
vowel.
excite­—excitable

Here is a list of some suffixes that begin with a vowel:

-able -ary -ence -ery -ible -ize

-ance -ed -er -est -ing -ous

Retain the e before a suffix amaze—amazement

that begins with a sincere—sincerely
consonant. excite—excitement

Here are some suffixes that begin with consonants:

-ful -less -ly -ment -ness -ty

Retain e if the
word ends with service—serviceable—servicing
ce or ge, except change—changeable—changing
when adding ed notice—noticeable—noticing
or ing.

Grammar on the Go! Spelling 11

 Retain the e if a vowel canoe—canoeing—canoed
comes just before the dye—dyeing—dyed
final e, except when free—freeing—freed
adding ed.

Words Ending in E

Circle the correct spelling in each of the following word pairs.

1. exciteable excitable

2. reversible reverseable

3. replaceable replacable

4. advantageous advantagous

5. safely safly

6. noticable noticeable

7. rangeing ranging

8. excitable exciteable

12 Spelling Grammar on the Go!

 When the Root Word Ends With a Consonant

The following spelling rules will help you remember when

and when not to double the final consonant when you add a
suffix to a word.

Double the final consonant admit—admitting

when the word ends in just run—running
one consonant. bar—barring

Double the final

consonant if there regret (1 vowel)—regretted
is only one vowel defeat (2 vowels)—defeated
before the final
consonant.

Double the final

begin (be gin’)—beginning
consonant if it is
the last syllable of profit (prof’ it)—profiting
the word that is
accented.

Double the final consonant only when the suffix to be

added begins with a vowel.

regret (add the suffix -ing)—regretting

regret (add the suffix -ful)—regretful

Double the final consonant if the accent does not shift

when the suffix is added.

occur (oc cur’)—occurrence (oc cur’ rence)

Grammar on the Go! Spelling 13

 More Suffixes

Circle the correct spelling in each of the following word pairs.

1. controllable controlable

2. happened happenned

3. mailled mailed

4. appealling appealing

5. formatted formated

6. dropped droped

7. preferable preferrable

8. programed programmed

14 Spelling Grammar on the Go!

 Dividing Into Syllables
Dividing words into syllables can be a great aid to correct
spelling.

Look at the word imperfectly. If you remove the prefix, im,

and the suffix,-ly, you are left with the root word, perfect.

Clear pronunciation of a word can help with its spelling.

Words are made up of one or more syllables, each containing
a sounded vowel. If each syllable is clearly spoken, even to
the point of exaggeration, its spelling will be easier. As an
example, look at the word Canadian. Divided into syllables it
appears like this:

Ca/na/di/an

If the word is sounded out by syllables, there will be no danger

of writing Canadain.

There are several basic rules for dividing words into

syllables.

Count the number of pronounced vowels. There will be

one syllable for each vowel that is pronounced:

tractor 2 sounded vowels 2 syllables trac/tor

seldom 2 sounded vowels 2 syllables sel/dom
manager 3 sounded vowels 3 syllables man/a/ger
pressure 2 sounded vowels 2 syllables pres/sure

Grammar on the Go! Spelling 15

 Divide the word after a prefix or before a suffix.

Prefixes Suffixes

decide—de/cide hunting—hunt/ing
resort—re/sort coldness—cold/ness
unfit—un/fit pitiful—piti/ful
overrate—over/rate hideous—hide/ous

Divide compound words between the separate words

that have been joined.

classroom—class/room
understand—under/stand
whatsoever—what/so/ever

If the double consonants are

part of the root word, they
Usually we divide are not split. In this case, the
words between double division is made after the
consonants: double consonants, before
the suffix.

annual—an/nual speller—spell/er
running—run/ning telling—tell/ing
village—vil/lage crossing—cross/ing
appear—ap/pear passable—pass/able

Divide two vowels or two consonants if they are

pronounced separately:

create—cre/ate sulphur—sul/phur
fluent—flu/ent suspect—sus/pect
riot—ri/ot burglar—bur/glar

16 Spelling Grammar on the Go!

 Here is a brief summary of the five rules for dividing words
into syllables.

Rules

1. There are always as many syllables in a word as there

are vowel audible sounds. If you can hear two vowels
in a word, then the word will have two
syllables.

2. Divide between prefixes and suffixes.

3. Divide between separate words of compound words.

4. When a consonant has been doubled because a

suffix has been added, divide between the double
consonants.

5. Divide between two vowels or two consonants

sounded separately.

Grammar on the Go! Spelling 17

 Syllables

Rewrite the following words, dividing them into syllables. .

mixing = mix/ing

1. friendliest =

2. stopping =
3. employment =

4. peaceful =

5. famously =

6. believable =

7. responsible =

8. ticklish =

18 Spelling Grammar on the Go!

 Silent Letters

Unfortunately, some English words are not spelled the way

they are pronounced. English spelling can be rather strange,
but if you take time to learn the few troublemakers, you will
be a successful speller.

Some troublesome words contain letters that are not sounded,

called silent letters.

Look at the words listed below. The silent consonants in each

word are in bold. Study them carefully.

calm doubt foreign knight echo freight

rhyme sigh flight ghost scene comb
salmon yolk often debt plumber pledge

Silent Letters

Fill in the missing silent letter for each of the words listed
below.

1. Always write your name in the right-hand colum .

2. My little sister dressed up as a g ost last
Halloween.
3. At the farm, we saw the sheep give birth to a
lam .
4. Remember to nock before entering someone’s
home.
5. We ate birthday cak after going to the water-
slides.
6. We had to call the plum er when the toilet wasn’t
working.
7. W ich way should we turn, left or right?
8. I cut my nee and elbow when I fell off my bike.
9. In the autum , we love to see the leaves changing
colour.
10. The opposite of black is w ite.

10
Grammar on the Go! Spelling 19
20 Spelling Grammar on the Go!
 Forming Plurals
Here are a few simple rules to remember when forming the
plurals of English nouns.

The plurals of most nouns

are made by adding s
to the singular form.
However, for nouns that box—boxes
end in s, x, z, ch, or sh, lunch—lunches
the plural is formed by
adding -es to the word

When a noun ends in y

preceded by a consonant,
glory—glories
change the y to ie and add
lady—ladies
s. When a noun ends in -y
day—days
preceded by a vowel (ay,
donkey—donkeys
ey, oy, uy), just add -s to
make the word plural

When a noun ends in o

radio—radios
preceded by a vowel, add s
rodeo—rodeos
to make the word plural

All musical terms ending piano—pianos

in o have plurals ending in cello—cellos
just s solo—solos

When a noun ends in o echo—echoes

preceded by a consonant, hero—heroes
either s or es can be added potato—potatoes
to make the word plural. torpedo—torpedoes
Some common words that embargo—embargoes
add es are: tomato—tomatoes
veto—vetoes

Grammar on the Go! Spelling 21

 Check your dictionary to be sure you have added the
correct plural form.

When a noun ends in f or

fe, the plural is formed in roof—roofs
one of two ways dwarf—dwarfs
loaf—loaves
add s to the singular. self—selves
change f or fe to v knife—knives
and adds es. life—lives

Some plurals may be hoof—hoofs or hooves

formed either way scarf—scarfs or scarves

Some nouns change their mouse—mice

spelling to indicate the ox—oxen
plural man—men
louse—lice
tooth—teeth
foot—feet

Nouns borrowed from

foreign languages may use
the plural ending of the
root language, the English
ending, or both

Root language endings: datum—data

alumnus—alumni
chateau—chateaux

English endings: forum—forums

campus—campuses
bonus—bonuses

Either ending: index—indices or indexes

amoeba—amoebae or
amoebas
formula—formulae or
formulas

22 Spelling Grammar on the Go!

 Compound words vary. cupful—cupfuls
When they are written as handful—handfuls
one word, es or s is usually watchdog—watchdogs
added to the word toothbrush—toothbrushes

Often the principal editor in chief—editors-in-

word is made plural: chief
mother-in-law—mothers-in-
law
lily-of-the-valley—lilies-of-the-
valley

Some nouns have the same fowl pants scissors

form for both the singular beer deer sheep
and plural forms politics

Forming Plurals

Provide the plural form for each of the following words in the
space provided.

1. chief
2. giraffe
3. hero
4. cliff
5. video
6. thief
7. photo
8. half
9. tooth
10. church

10

Grammar on the Go! Spelling 23

 Improving Spelling

Many people have difficulty spelling words containing ie or

ei. They do not know which vowel come first. Here is a simple
rule which should help you spell these troublesome words:

“i” before “e” except after “c,” except when said “ay” as
in “neighbour” and “weigh.”

This rule applies in most cases, but like so many other rules,
it is sometimes broken. Here is a list of exceptions you must
learn:

neither seize leisure foreign protein

height either forfeit weird counterfeit

24 Spelling Grammar on the Go!

 Correct Word Forms
Certain words in the English language are often improperly
used. In this handbook, you will look at some of these words
to see how they should be used.

Word Definition Example

accept to take or receive or to agree to He will accept the
position if it is
offered him.

except not including or to leave out of We all went to the

consideration picnic except
Grandmother.
advice a noun meaning guidance or What advice did the
counsel mechanic give about
the car?

advise a verb meaning to give counsel Please advise me about

the car.
affect a verb meaning cause a change The test will affect
your final mark.

effect a noun meaning the result of a The good mark had a

change positive effect on the
student.

already previously or by now She had already eaten

supper.

all ready everyone is completely ready We were all ready for

the party.

aloud out loud He cried aloud that he

would not give in.

allowed permitted to do something Fishing is not allowed

in this stream.

Grammar on the Go! Spelling 25

 Word Definition Example
amount used when referring to a thing that I like a small amount of
can be measured or weighed honey in my tea.

number used when referring to things that He came up with a

can be counted number of reasons
why he liked the idea.

beside a preposition meaning by or at Put the parcel beside

the bench.

besides in addition to or also Besides Jack, five

others came.
between used with only two objects or The money was divided
persons between the two of us.

among used with three or more objects The money was divided
or persons among the three of us.

borrow to take temporarily May I borrow your

lawnmower?

lend to give temporarily I will lend you my

umbrella.
can able to do something Can you ride a bicycle?

may permitted to do or have May I have a

something chocolate?
choose a present tense verb meaning I need to choose my
select courses for next year.

chose a past tense verb meaning She chose her courses

selected wisely.
corps a body or organization with The corps of older men
specific duties (pronounced CORE) was in charge.

corpse a dead human or animal. The corpse was

transported to the pet
cemetary.

26 Spelling Grammar on the Go!

 Word Definition Example
farther at a greater distance She ran farther and
faster than anyone
thought she could.

further additional or more The committee voted

to study the issue
further before making
a decision.
its a possessive pronoun or adjective The cat scratched its
meaning belonging to it ear.

it’s a contraction meaning it is (the It’s a Siamese cat.

apostrophe shows a missing letter)

fewer not as many (in numbers) There were fewer

people at the party
than I expected.

less not as much (in quantity) As a result, less food

was eaten.
lie to be at rest in a reclining position I like to lie down in the
afternoon.

lay to place or put something in place Please lay the book on

the table; it’s fragile.
(The past tense of “lay”
is “laid”)
lose a verb meaning to no longer have Do not lose this
money.

loose an adjective meaning not If I lose any more

fastened weight, my pants will
be too loose.
of a preposition used to begin a One of the puppies
prepositional phrase yelped.

‘ve a contraction of the verb have I could’ve (could have)

read the book of short
stories. (Not I could of
read the book of short
stories)

Grammar on the Go! Spelling 27

 Word Definition Example
quiet an adjective, noun, or verb We need to be quiet so
meaning not making sound my sister can get some
sleep.

quite an adverb meaning completely He was not quite

finished his test when
the bell rang.

quit a verb meaning stop I admire people who

quit smoking.
than a conjunction or preposition My team scored three
showing a comparison more goals than their
team did.

then an adverb meaning at that time I have hockey practice

or next after school, and then
we’re going out for
pizza.
their belonging to them Their house is
exquisitely decorated.

there indicates place or position; also There are many

introduces a sentence when the contestants over there.
verb comes before the subject.

they’re a contraction of the words they They’re coming to the

are celebration.

to in the direction of, upon, until Fabrizzio came to the

house.

too also or more than enough We have too much

help.

two the number after one Two books are enough.

waist the part of the body between the The belt was tied
chest and the hips around her waist.

waste to use something in a careless Food does not go to

way waste in a starving
country.

28 Spelling Grammar on the Go!

 Word Definition Example
weather the state of the atmosphere— The weather was
wind, temperature, moisture stormy so the picnic
was cancelled.

whether if Albert is not sure

whether he will
attend.
who’s a contraction of who is or who Who’s lost a pencil?
has

whose belonging to which person Whose pencil is this?

your belonging to you Your dog bit me!

you’re a contraction meaning you are You’re not telling me

the truth!
were a past tense of “to be” They were here earlier.

we’re a contraction for we are We’re going to the late

show tonight.

Warning: Your computer’s spell check function will

find many spelling errors but if you’ve used the wrong
word—for example, its instead of it’s—the computer
will ignore the word because it is spelled correctly. Be
sure to check your writing carefully and make sure you
have chosen the correct words.

Grammar on the Go! Spelling 29

 Confusing Words

Circle the correct word to complete each sentence.

1. The poor weather is bound to ( effect affect )
our race.

2. I could ( ‘ve of ) won the race if I had better

running shoes.

3. Marilyn has more books in her locker ( than then )

Susan does.

4. ( Weather Whether ) you believe it or not, it is a

fact.

5. There is a greater ( number amount ) of dogs on

Smith Street than on Boyer Road.

6. ( There They’re Their ) friends are late for

our party.

7. Do you know ( whose who’s ) television set was

brought in yesterday for repair?

8. Are you sure ( your you’re ) ready to go?

9. ( It’s Its ) not too late to pitch in and help.

10. We are not ( aloud allowed ) to talk in the

library during study period.

11. ( Lie Lay ) the doll on the bed.

12. It was ( quiet quite ) an exciting game to watch.

30 Spelling Grammar on the Go!


13. Kato has much more homework to do ( than then )
Malik does.

14. Make sure you don’t ( lose loose ) your wallet when
you go to the fair.

15. The banker will ( advice advise ) you on the best

mortgage rates.

16. Eat your sandwich and ( than then ) you can have
a cookie.

17. I refuse to ( accept except ) your explanation.

18. Katrina should ( of ‘ve ) known the answer.

19. Global warming has had an ( affect effect ) on

our ( whether weather ).

20. Paolo and Margaret shared the piece of cake

( among between ) them.

21. There are ( fewer less ) eggs in the fridge today.

22

Grammar on the Go! Spelling 31

32 Spelling Grammar on the Go!
 Grammar
on the Go!

Answer Key

Grammar on the Go! Answer Key

 Spelling

Prefixes p. 7

Root Word Negative Form Root Word Negative Form

Human Inhumane Patient Impatient

Visible Invisible Timed Ill-timed

Efficient Inefficient Practical Impractical

Logical Illogical Active Inactive

Replaceable Irreplaceable Legal Illegal

Polite Impolite Direct Indirect

Mortal Immortal Regular Irregular

Reversible Irreversible Eligible Ineligible

Competent Incompetent Responsible Irresponsible

Creating Words p. 9

1. act + or = actor
Definition: a person who acts

2. king + dom = kingdom

Definition: a territory or region subject to a king or queen

3. rival + ry = rivalry
Definition: competition

4. love +ly = lovely

Definition: pleasant, delightful, beautiful

5. construct + ion = construction

Definition: the act of building

Grammar on the Go! Answer Key 1

 Words Ending in E p. 12

1. exciteable 5. safely
excitable safly
2. reversible 6. noticable
reverseable noticeable
3. replaceable 7. rangeing
replacable ranging
4. advantageous 8. excitable
advantagous exciteable

More Suffixes p. 14

1. controllable 5. formatted
controlable formated
2. happened 6. dropped
happenned droped
3. mailled 7. preferable
mailed preferrable
4. appealling 8. programed
appealing programmed

Syllables p. 18

1. friendliest = friend/li/est
2. stopping = stop/ping
3. employment = em/ploy/ment
4. peaceful = peace/ful
5. famously = fam/ous/ly
6. believable = be/liev/able
7. responsible = re/spon/sible
8. ticklish = tick/lish

Answer Key Grammar on the Go!

 Silent Letters p. 19

1. Always write your name in the right-hand column.

2. My little sister dressed up as a ghost last Halloween.
3. At the farm, we saw the sheep give birth to a lamb.
4. Remember to knock before entering someone’s home.
5. We ate birthday cake after going to the waterslides.
6. We had to call the plumber when the toilet wasn’t
working.
7. Which way should we turn, left or right?
8. I cut my knee and elbow when I fell off my bike.
9. In the autumn, we love to see the leaves changing
colour.
10. The opposite of black is white.

Forming Plurals p. 23

1. chief chiefs
2. giraffe giraffes
3. hero heroes
4. cliff cliffs
5. video videos
6. thief thieves
7. photo photos
8. half halves
9. tooth teeth
10. church churches

Grammar on the Go! Answer Key 3

 Confusing Words p. 30

1. The poor weather is bound to (effect affect ) our race.

2. I could ( ‘ve of) won the race if I had better running

shoes.

3. Marilyn has more books in her locker ( than then) Susan

does.

4. ( Weather Whether ) you believe it or not, it is a fact.

5. There is a greater ( number amount ) of dogs on Smith

Street than on Boyer Road.

6. (There They’re Their ) friends are late for our party.

7. Do you know ( whose who’s ) television set was brought

in yesterday for repair?

8. Are you sure ( your you’re ) ready to go?

9. ( It’s Its ) not too late to pitch in and help.

10. We are not ( aloud allowed ) to talk in the library during
study period.

11. ( Lie Lay ) the doll on the bed.

12. It was ( quiet quite ) an exciting game to watch.

13. Kato has much more homework to do ( than then )

Malik does.

14. Make sure you don’t ( lose loose ) your wallet when you
go to the fair.

15. The banker will ( advice advise ) you on the best

mortgage rates.

16. Eat your sandwich and ( than then ) you can have a
cookie.

Answer Key Grammar on the Go!

 17. I refuse to ( accept except ) your explanation.

18. Katrina should ( of ‘ve ) known the answer.

19. Global warming has had an ( affect effect ) on our

( whether weather ).

20. Paolo and Margaret shared the piece of cake

( among between ) them.

21. There are ( fewer less ) eggs in the fridge today.

Grammar on the Go! Answer Key 5