5 Spelling and Commonly Confused Words Free Online FlashCards

What is a syllable, and how can it help with spelling?

A syllable is a spoken beat in a word. Breaking a long word into syllables can make it easier to say, spell, and check.

What is a closed syllable?

In a closed syllable, a vowel is followed by one or more consonants and usually has a short sound, as in cat.

Where do prefixes and suffixes attach to a base word?

A prefix comes before a base word, while a suffix comes after it. Both can add meaning or change how a word works in a sentence.

What often happens to a final silent e before a vowel-starting suffix?

Drop the final silent e before a vowel-starting suffix: hope becomes hoping.

How do their, there, and they're differ?

Their shows possession; there points to a place; they're means they are.

What does a final silent e often signal in a VCe syllable?

In a vowel-consonant-e syllable, a final silent e often signals a long vowel, as in same.

What is an open syllable?

An open syllable ends in a vowel, which often has a long sound, as in me.

What is a vowel team?

A vowel team is two or more letters working together to spell a vowel sound, as in train.

What makes a syllable r-controlled?

An r-controlled syllable has a vowel followed by r, which changes the vowel sound, as in car.

When might you double a final consonant before a vowel-starting suffix?

In many short, stressed consonant-vowel-consonant words, double the final consonant before a vowel-starting suffix: hop becomes hopping.

How does consonant + y usually change before a suffix?

Change consonant + y to i before many suffixes, as in happy to happiness. Keep the y before -ing, as in carrying.

How do affect and effect usually differ?

Affect usually means “influence”; effect is usually a noun meaning “result.”