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Drop the E before a vowel suffix
hope + ing = hoping, but hope + ful = hopeful.
Grades 2-6
The rule
When a word ends in silent e, drop the e before a suffix that starts with a vowel. Keep the e before a suffix that starts with a consonant.
How it works
| hope + ing = hoping | vowel suffix → drop the e |
| make + er = maker | vowel suffix → drop the e |
| use + able = usable | vowel suffix → drop the e |
| hope + ful = hopeful | consonant suffix → keep the e |
| care + less = careless | consonant suffix → keep the e |
| nice + ly = nicely | consonant suffix → keep the e |
Watch out for
- Words ending in ce or ge keep the e before -able and -ous, so the c or g stays soft: noticeable, manageable, courageous.
- Keep the e in dyeing (colouring cloth) so it is not confused with dying.