Spelling - Eliminating 'e': Activity 4

Sort the examples into two groups

 

DROP 'E'
KEEP 'E'
notice + -able → noticeable
manage + -able → manageable
change + -able → changeable
service + -able → serviceable
advantage + -ous → advantageous
courage + -ous → courageous

 

Answers

  • KEEP 'E' GROUP: notice + -able → noticeable, manage + -able → manageable, change + -able → changeable, service + -able → serviceable, advantage + -ous → advantageous, courage + -ous → courageous

Do these examples fit the patterns identified in Activities 1 and 2? 

  • No. The suffix starts in a vowel but we keep the e at the end of the base word.

Why do these examples behave differently? Do you notice any pattern?

  • Each base word ends in a -ge or -ce. Each suffix starts with o or a.
  • We need to keep the -e at the end to mark the correct pronunciation of the g or c.
  • The e marks a ‘soft g’ pronunciation, as in gem , instead of a ‘hard g’ as in go.
  • The e marks a ‘soft c’ pronunciation, as in centre , instead of a ‘hard c’ as in cat.

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