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The FLOSS rule: double F, L, S and Z
cliff, ball, glass, buzz.
Grades 1-3
The rule
In a one-syllable word with one short vowel, double the final f, l, s or z. The name FLOSS is itself an example.
How it works
| cliff | short i → double the f |
| ball | short vowel → double the l |
| glass | short a → double the s |
| buzz | short u → double the z |
| floss | short o → double the s |
Watch out for
- Common exceptions worth learning as whole words: if, of, pal, gas, bus, this, us, yes, plus, his, has, was.
- The rule needs a short vowel. In roof and tool the vowel is long, so there is no doubling.