English Spelling Rules - Learn Spelling Rules and Common Mistakes

英語字彙 — 拼寫規則

Hi, I’m Maria.

嗨，我是Maria。

Welcome to Oxford Online English!

歡迎來到Oxford Online English！

In this lesson, you can learn about English spelling rules, and see some of the most common

在本節課裡，您會學到英文拼寫規則， 看到一些最常見的英文

spelling mistakes that English learners make.

學習者犯的拼寫錯誤。

English spelling is famously illogical.

英文拼寫是出了名的不合邏輯。

Even native speakers commonly misspell words.

甚至是母語人士也常會拼錯單字。

Interestingly, ‘misspell’ is a word which is often misspelled!

有意思的是，“misspell”是一個 常拼錯的單字。

In this lesson, you’ll see four of the most useful rules that can help you to improve

在本節課裡，您會看到四個最有用的 能幫您提高拼寫能力

your English spelling and avoid spelling mistakes.

和杜絕拼寫錯誤的規則。

You’ll also get to test your spelling skills on several of the most common spelling mistakes

您也會在幾個最常見的英文 拼寫錯誤上接受

in English.

英文拼寫隨堂測驗。

Let’s start with our first rule.

我們從第一個規則開始。

Look at five words.

看五個單字。

Which are spelled correctly, and which have mistakes?

哪些是拼寫正確的， 哪些是錯誤的？

There are two mistakes.

有兩個錯的。

Beginner should have two n's

“Beginner”必須有兩個“n”，

and offering should have one r.

”offering“必須只有一個“r”。

Here’s a question: why do you need to double the n in planning or beginning, but not the r

這有一個問題：為什麼您必須在 "planning"或“beginning”雙寫“n”，

in offering?

但在“offering”不雙寫"r"？

Why does sitting have a double t, but deciding just has one d?

為什麼"sitting"要雙寫"t"， 但是“deciding”只有一個“d”？

Spelling mistakes with double consonants are common, but you can avoid them if you remember

雙寫子音的拼寫錯誤是常見的， 但是如果您记住规则，

the rule.

您可以避免錯誤。

Here it is:

這是：

If a word ends with a short vowel sound plus a consonant, and the stress is on the last

如果一個單字用一個短母音加一個子音結尾， 重讀是在最後一個音節，

syllable, then the final consonant is doubled if you add an ending which starts with a vowel.

如果您要添加一個以母音開頭的結尾， 那麼單字的最後一個子音是雙寫的。

That sounds complicated, although it’s simpler than it looks.

那聽上去複雜，然而它比 看上去要簡單。

Let’s do some examples to make it clearer.

我們做一些事例來讓它更清楚。

First of all, this rule applies to all one-syllable words which end with a short vowel plus a

首先，這個規則適用於所有以 一個短母音加一個子音

consonant.

結尾的單音節單字。

For example,

例如，

hot -> hotter jar -> jarring

hot -> hotter jar -> jarring

sad -> saddest cut -> cutting

sad -> saddest cut -> cutting

win -> winner

win -> winner

Because of the way English spelling connects to English pronunciation, you can think of

因為英文拼寫的方式關聯到英文 發音，您能像這樣考慮：

it like this: if a word has one syllable, and it ends with one vowel and one consonant,

如果一個單字有一個音節， 並以一個母音和一個子音結尾，

then you need to double the final consonant.

那麼您需要去雙寫最後的子音。

But, this depends on sounds, not spelling.

但是這取決於發音，而非拼寫。

So, if the final consonant is w or y, don’t double it:

所以，如果最後一個子音 是w或y，不要雙寫。

draw -> drawing grey -> greyer

draw -> drawing grey -> greyer

Can you work out why this is?

您能明白這是為什麼嗎？

It’s because the words are written with a consonant, but the sound isn’t pronounced

那是因為字母是用一個子音 來寫，但是發音不是以

as a consonant.

子音來發音。

If a word ends with two consonants, or with a consonant plus vowel, then don’t double

如果一個單字以兩個子音結尾， 或是一個子音加一個母音，

any consonants:

那麼不要雙寫任何子音。

think -> thinking write -> writer

think -> thinking write -> writer

If a word has two or more syllables, then you also need to think about the stress.

如果一個單字有兩個或更多的音節，那麼 您也要考慮重讀。

If the stress is on the last syllable, and the word ends with a short vowel plus a consonant,

如果重讀是在最後一個音節，單字以 一個短母音加一個子音結尾，

then you need to double the final consonant; for example:

那麼您需要雙寫最後的子音； 例如：

occur -> occurring commit -> committee

occur -> occurring commit -> committee

forget -> forgetting

forget -> forgetting

However, if the stress is not on the last syllable, you don’t double the final consonant;

然而，如果重讀不在最後一個音節， 您不用雙寫最後的子音；

for example:

例如：

happen -> happening discover -> discoverer

happen -> happening discover -> discoverer

water -> watery

water -> watery

Remember that for all these words, the rule only applies if the word ends in a short vowel

記住，對於所有的單字，如果單字以 一個短母音加一個子音結尾，

plus one consonant.

規則才適用。

This is true if you’re talking about words with one, two, three or however many syllables.

如果您談論的單字有一個、兩個、三個 或更多的音節，這是適用的。

Let’s do a quick test.

我們來做一個快速測驗。

You’re going to hear a sentence.

您會聽到一個句子。

Pause the video and write down the sentence.

暫停影片並寫下句子。

You’ll hear it twice.

您會聽到兩次。

Ready?

準備好了嗎？

The cooking committee happened to notice that his soup was tastier than last year, but also

The cooking committee happened to notice that his soup was tastier than last year, but also

more watery.

more watery.

Listen once more: the cooking committee happened to notice that his soup was tastier than last

多聽一遍： the cooking committee happened to notice that his soup was tastier than last

year, but also more watery.

year, but also more watery.

Could you write down the sentence?

您能寫下句子嗎？

Let’s check: Did you get everything right?

我們來看一下： 您都寫對了嗎？

No spelling mistakes?

沒有拼寫錯誤？

If so, that’s great!

如果是這樣，那麼很棒！

Let’s move on to our next rule.

我們看下一個規則。

You're going to see four spelling mistakes.

您會看到一個拼寫錯誤。

Can you correct them?

您可以更正他們嗎？

The mistakes are all connected with i-e versus e-i

所有錯誤都是與 i-e和e-i有關。

There’s a well-known rule here: “i before e except after c.”

這有一個著名的規則： “i before e except after c.”

That means that in most cases, i goes before e:

那意思是在大部分的 事例裡，i在e的前面：

piece field

piece field

achieve

achieve

After the letter c, put e before i:

在字母C之後，在i前面放e：

receipt ceiling

receipt ceiling

conceive

conceive

But, there are exceptions.

但是有一些例外。

One of the exceptions has its own rule: e goes before i to make an /eɪ/ sound.

例外中的一個有它自己的規則： e放在i前面來發/eɪ/音。

For example:

例如：

neighbour weigh

neighbour weigh

eight

eight

Other exceptions are true exceptions; they don’t follow any rule and you need to remember

其他的例外是真正的例外； 他們不追隨任何規則，

them.

您要記住它們。

Here are some of the most common exceptions to this rule:

這有一些這一規則最常見的例外：

height leisure

height leisure

weird caffeine

weird caffeine

species ancient

species ancient

Let’s test your skills!

我們來測一下您的技能！

You’re going to hear another sentence.

您會聽到另一個句子。

Again, try to write the sentence down.

再次，試著寫下句子。

You’ll hear it twice.

您會聽到兩次。

Ready?

準備好了嗎？

Her weird neighbour weighed out eight pieces of ancient caffeine.

Her weird neighbour weighed out eight pieces of ancient caffeine.

Her weird neighbour weighed out eight pieces of ancient caffeine.

Her weird neighbour weighed out eight pieces of ancient caffeine.

Here’s the answer:

這是回答:

Her weird neighbour weighed out eight pieces of ancient caffeine.

Her weird neighbour weighed out eight pieces of ancient caffeine.

Did you get everything right?

您都做對了嗎？

No spelling mistakes?

沒有拼寫錯誤？

If so, well done!

如果這樣，做得很好！

If you made some mistakes, you can easily go back and review this section, and then

如果您犯了一些錯誤，您隨時 可以回頭複習這個單元，

try again.

然後再試一次。

Let’s look at our next rule

我們看看下個規則。

Here are five nouns.

這有五個名詞。

What are the plurals, and how would you spell them?

什麼是複數， 您怎樣拼寫它們？

Do you know?

您知道嗎？

Here are the answers.

這是回答嗎？

You can see that sometimes, you need to write plurals with es.

您有時能看到，您需要 用es來寫複數。

But, when do you add -es to make a plural, instead of just -s?

但是，什麼時候您加-es來造 複數，取代-s？

It depends on the last letter of the word.

那取決於單字的最後一個字母。

If a word ends in -s, -ss, -z, -ch, -sh, or -x, then you make the plural by adding -es.

如果一個單字以 -s、-ss、-z、-ch、-sh或是-x結尾， 那麼您用加-es的方式來造複數。

For example:

例如：

glasses buses

glasses buses

quizzes beaches

quizzes beaches

dishes boxes

dishes boxes

Okay, but what about tomatoes?

好，但是那tomatoes是怎樣呢？

That has a plural with -es, but it doesn’t fit the rule you just saw.

那有一個-es的複數形式，但是 不適用您剛看到的規則。

There’s one more rule: if a word ends in a consonant plus -o, then the plural is written

又多一個規則：如果一個單字以 子音結尾加-o，那麼

with -es.

複數寫成-es。

For example:

例如：

potatoes heroes

potatoes heroes

mosquitoes

mosquitoes

However, if a word ends with a vowel plus -o, then the plural is written only with -s,

然而，如果一個單字以一個母音加-o 結尾，那麼複數只寫成-s。

like this:

像是這個：

videos radios

videos radios

All of these rules also apply when you add -s to a verb.

當您給動詞加-s時，所有這些 規則也適用。

As usual, there are some exceptions, although most of them are uncommon words.

像往常一樣，有一些例外， 儘管大多數不是常見的單字。

The most common exceptions to this rule are logos and pianos.

這個規則最常見的例外是 logos和pianos。

Let’s do a quick test!

我們來做一個快速測驗！

Here are five words.

這有五個單字。

How do you spell the plural?

您怎樣拼寫它們的複數？

Pause the video and write down your answers.

暫停影片並寫下您的答案。

Ready?

好了嗎？

Here are the answers.

這是答案。

Next, let’s look at one more useful rule to improve your English spelling.

接下來，我們看一個對提高您的 英文拼寫有用的規則。

Listen to five words, and try to write them down.

聽五個單字，並試著寫下它們。

Ready?

準備好了嗎？

Truly, changeable, surprising, measurable, advancing.

Truly, changeable, surprising, measurable, advancing.

Listen one more time: truly, changeable, surprising, measurable, advancing.

再聽一次： truly、changeable、surprising、 measurable、advancing.

Here are the words; did you spell them all correctly?

這是那些單字，您全部 正確地拼寫對它們了嗎？

This rule is about adding a suffix to a root word which ends with -e.

這個規則是關於給一個用-e結尾的 字根添加一個後綴。

For example, true ends with -e.

例如，true用-e結尾。

When you add the suffix -ly, the -e disappears.

當您添加後綴-ly，-e消失了。

Change also ends with -e, but when you add the suffix -able¬, the -e doesn’t disappear.

Change也用e結尾，但是當您加一個 後綴-able，-e沒有消失。

Do you know why this is?

你知道這是為什麼嗎？

Whether the -e disappears or not depends on two things: the spelling of the root word,

-e是否消失取決於兩件事： 字根的拼寫，

and the suffix you are adding.

以及您添加的後綴。

Firstly, the -e can only disappear if you add a suffix which starts with a vowel, like

首先，如果您添加一個母音開頭 的後綴，像是-able、-ible、

-able, -ible, -ing, -ity or -ed.

-ing、-ity或-ed，-e才消失。

For example:

例如：

achievable taking

achievable taking

activity

activity

However, if a word ends with -ue, then you can sometimes drop the -e, even if the suffix

然而，如果一個單字以-ue結尾， 如果後綴以一個子音開始，

begins with a consonant.

那麼您有時能拿掉-e。

For example:

例如：

truly argument

truly argument

Even when you’re using a suffix which starts with a vowel, you don’t always drop the

當您在用一個母音 開頭的後綴時，您

-e.

不一定要拿掉e。

If the word ends -ce and the ending has an /s/ sound, or if a word ends -ge and the ending

如果單字用-ce結尾，且結尾有一個 /s/音，或者如果一個單字用

has a /dʒ/ sound, then you might need to keep the -e in order to keep the pronunciation

-ge結尾，且結尾有一個/dʒ/音， 那麼您或許需要保留-e，

the same.

以保持發音相同。

For example:

例如：

manageable encouragement

manageable encouragement

graceful unpronounceable

graceful unpronounceable

As always, these rules have exceptions.

同樣，這些規則有例外。

Even if a word ends -ce or -ge, you still drop the -e when you add an -ing suffix.

單字用-ce或-ge結尾， 您仍會在添加-ing後綴時刪除-e。

One important exception is the word ageing, which can be spelled both ways: with an -e

一個重要的例外是單字ageing， 它能用兩種方式拼寫：有 -e

(in British English) or without (in American English).

（英國英語）或沒有（美語）。

Also, you don’t drop the -e if this would change the pronunciation.

如果這會改變發音， 您也不拿掉-e。

For example, the word agree needs to keep two -e’s in order to keep its pronunciation:

例如，為了保持發音，單字agree 需要保持兩個 -e：

agreeing agreement

agreeing agreement

agreeable

agreeable

Let’s do a quick test to see how well you can use these rules!

我們做一個快速測驗來看看您可以 怎樣用好這些規則！

Listen to five more words.

聽多五個單字。

Write them down carefully.

小心地寫下它們。

You’ll hear the words twice.

您會聽到單字兩次。

Valuable, interchangeable, faking, seeing, activity.

Valuable, interchangeable, faking, seeing, activity.

Valuable, interchangeable, faking, seeing, activity.

Valuable, interchangeable, faking, seeing, activity.

Here are the answers.

這是答案。

How did you do?

您怎樣做的？

Finally let’s look at some words which are very commonly misspelled, even by native English

最後，我們看一些很常見， 甚至是英語母語人士

speakers.

也會錯拼的單字。

Look at four words.

看四個單字。

They all have spelling mistakes; can you correct them?

它們全部都有拼寫錯誤； 您可以改正它們嗎？

Here are the four words; did you get them all right?

這有四個單字，您都答對了嗎？

What makes these words difficult to spell?

什麼讓這些單字很難去拼寫？

In words like accommodation, it’s difficult to know where to put double letters.

對於單字像是accommodation， 要知道哪裡雙寫字母是困難的。

What other words are like this?

其他的什麼單字像這個？

How about committee.

committee呢？

How many -m’s?

多少 -m’s？

How many -t’s?

多少 -t’s？

What about embarrassed, millennium, possession, correspondence, or harassment?

那embarrassed、millennium、possession、 correspondenc或harassment？

These are difficult because they aren’t very consistent.

這些是難的，因為它們不是十分一致的。

Why does embarrass have two -r’s, but harass only has one?

為什麼embarrass有兩個-r’s,，但是harass 只有一個？

It’s not logical; you have to remember them.

那是沒有邏輯的，您要記住它們。

In words like conscious or guarantee, the relationship between the spelling and the

單字像是conscious或guarantee， 按英文標準來說，

pronunciation is strange, even by English standards.

拼寫和發音是奇怪的。

It’s rare that the letters ‘sci’ make a /ʃ/ sound.

字母“sci”發/ʃ/的音是很奇怪的。

There are many words with the letters ‘sci’, but normally, these letters make a /saɪ/

有很多單字含有“sci”， 但正常來說，這些字母發/saɪ/

sound—like science—or a /sɪ/ sound—like discipline.

的音—像是science—或一個/sɪ/音— 像是discipline。

It’s similar with guarantee.

那是與guarantee一樣的。

Normally, the /g/ sound is produced by the letters ‘ge’ or ‘gi’.

正常來說，字母“ge”或“gi”發/g/的音。

There’s only one other word family where ‘gua’ makes a /g/ sound.

僅有一個其他的字母家族“gua”發/g/的音。

Do you know which?

您知道哪一個？

The word guard, and words made from it, like guardian, are the only other words which behave

單字guard和由它構建的單字，像是 guardian，是僅有的像

like this.

這樣的單字。

Again, these spellings are not consistent, and you need to remember them as exceptions.

再次，這些拼寫不是一致的， 您要把它們當做例外並記住。

Finally, what’s the problem with independent?

最後，independent有什麼問題呢？

This is difficult because there are two endings which have the same pronunciation: A-N-C-E

這個很難，因為有兩個發音 相同的結尾： A-N-C-E

and E-N-C-E.

和E-N-C-E。

So, you have audience with an ‘e’, but ambulance with an ‘a’; competence with

所以，您看到audience有“e”，但是 ambulance有“a”，competence有

‘e’, but clearance with ‘a’, interference with ‘e’, but importance with ‘a’.

“e”，但clearance有“a”，interference 有“e”，但是importance有“a”。

You can’t hear the difference between these two endings.

您聽不出這些結尾的區別。

Again, you have to remember the spellings.

同樣，您必須記住這些拼寫。

However, it’s not all bad news: there is some logic here.

然而，並非全部都是壞消息： 這有一些邏輯。

Important is written with an ‘a’, so the noun importance keeps the same spelling.

Important有“a”，所以名詞形式 importance保留相同的拼寫。

Interfere ends with an ‘e’, so again the noun keeps the same spelling.

Interfere用“e”結尾，所以名詞形式也 保留相同的拼寫。

Now, we want to ask you something: which words in English do you find most difficult to spell?

現在，我們想問您某些事情：您覺得 英文裡哪些單字是最難拼寫的？

Let us know in the comments!

請在留言板留下評論。

Check out our website for more free English lessons: Oxford Online English dot com.

更多的免費課程，請參觀我們的網站： Oxford Online English dot com。

Thanks for watching!

感謝觀看！

See you next time!

下次見！