Grammar Software » spelling http://www.grammarsoftware.com Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:16:26 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 How To Spell Better http://www.grammarsoftware.com/blog/spell/ http://www.grammarsoftware.com/blog/spell/#comments Wed, 06 Jan 2010 10:43:37 +0000 grammar http://www.grammarsoftware.com/?p=1047 The advancement of grammar and spelling checkers have made worrying about spelling less of a problem now than ever.  Couple that with texting and Twitter, and we’ve got an entire generation of people who probably couldn’t spell right if you put a gun to their heads.  For those who’d like to be prepared to line up the letters correctly when they need to, here’s a guide to better English spelling.

Memorize The Basic Rules

1. The letter “i” comes before “e,” except when the pair comes after “c”.  This is true for the most part, although there are many exceptions.  Words that break this rule include: protein, either and ancient.

2. With two vowels in a row, the first vowel usually has a long sound while the second one stays silent.  This is true with words such as pie and cream.

3. Beware of the silent “e” at the rear.  Words where the vowel is enunciated before a consonant ending, there’s usually a silent “e” at the end.  Common examples include care, cube and forgive.

Those three rules are far from a complete guideline.  However, they are the most basic that you should know.  For the most part, though, memorizing rules isn’t the best way to learn spelling as English allows for far too many exceptions.

Learning To Spell

The best way to learn how to spell a word is to learn the word.  Make an effort not just to memorize the arrangement of letters but to understand it.  When you do, the spelling will probably come naturally.

When you’re memorizing words, chunk it down by mentally taking note of individual syllables.  Going this route can also help you adapt to other words that use the same sounds.  Also, make sure you’re pronouncing the words right.  Skipping consonants (as in pronouncing “candidate” as “canidate”) can hurt you in the long run.

]]> http://www.grammarsoftware.com/blog/spell/feed/ 0 How to teach Spelling to Kids http://www.grammarsoftware.com/blog/teach-spelling-kids/ http://www.grammarsoftware.com/blog/teach-spelling-kids/#comments Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:07:31 +0000 admin http://www.grammarsoftware.com/blog/?p=148 If you are completely in charge of your children’s education, then you might have a hard time with teaching them some study subjects. Take spelling, for example. Spelling is very important for young children since it is the basic foundation for a good English education.  If one does not know how to spell correctly, then you will have a hard time learning proper English in the future.

However, teaching the correct way of spelling might be a challenge, most especially if your kids are very hyperactive and they find study time boring. You certainly don’t want to teach them if their minds are not set to it because they will only end up forgetting it. So therefore, you will need to modify your teaching strategy in order for your kids to listen and learn.

One good way for your kids to learn the value of good spelling is for them to try spelling fun words. For example, if your kids love their pet dog or cat, have them spell out the name of their pet in a black board or paper. Once they are finished, check their work and then teach them on how to spell the word if they made a mistake. You can also have a spelling bee and the winner will receive a special prize, like candies or a toy. I’m pretty sure your kids will be doing all they can to learn how to spell right!

Making their study lessons a fun experience is the key for them to truly appreciate the value of good learning. Tutoring your kids does not need to be a boring experience. This will encourage them to learn proper English without having to rely on English grammar checkers most of the time.

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