Spelling rule

Adding -ing: the five cases

The answer

Most words just add -ing (jumping). Double the final consonant after one short vowel (running), drop a silent e (making), keep a final y (crying) and change ie to y (lying). Our lexicon has 2207 -ing words sorted into these five cases.

When does the rule apply?

-ing is the suffix students add most often, which makes it the best place to bring the spelling-change rules together. Every -ing word falls into one of five cases, and students decide which by looking at the end of the base word. Our counts show how lopsided it is: "just add" covers most words, so students should treat it as the default and look for a reason to change anything. The smallest group, ie to y, has only a handful of words, but they are common ones.

Words that follow the rule

Just add -ing

The 240 most common of 1302 words

Just add -ing
Word	Word sum	Readable after
being	be + ing	Lesson 65
doing	do + ing	Lesson 65
going	go + ing	Lesson 65
acting	act + ing	Lesson 65
adding	add + ing	Lesson 67b
aiming	aim + ing	Lesson 84
asking	ask + ing	Lesson 65
eating	eat + ing	Lesson 85
ending	end + ing	Lesson 65
fixing	fix + ing	Lesson 65
mixing	mix + ing	Lesson 65
seeing	see + ing	Lesson 85
backing	back + ing	Lesson 65
bearing	bear + ing	Lesson 112
binding	bind + ing	Lesson 72
calling	call + ing	Lesson 65
dealing	deal + ing	Lesson 85
drawing	draw + ing	Lesson 93
failing	fail + ing	Lesson 84
feeding	feed + ing	Lesson 85
feeling	feel + ing	Lesson 85
filling	fill + ing	Lesson 65
finding	find + ing	Lesson 72
forming	form + ing	Lesson 78
gaining	gain + ing	Lesson 84
growing	grow + ing	Lesson 86
handing	hand + ing	Lesson 65
hanging	hang + ing	Lesson 65
heading	head + ing	Lesson 94
hearing	hear + ing	Lesson 85
helping	help + ing	Lesson 65
holding	hold + ing	Lesson 72
joining	join + ing	Lesson 95
keeping	keep + ing	Lesson 85
knowing	know + ing	Lesson 98
lacking	lack + ing	Lesson 65
landing	land + ing	Lesson 65
leading	lead + ing	Lesson 85
linking	link + ing	Lesson 65
listing	list + ing	Lesson 65
loading	load + ing	Lesson 86
locking	lock + ing	Lesson 65
looking	look + ing	Lesson 65
marking	mark + ing	Lesson 77
meaning	mean + ing	Lesson 85
meeting	meet + ing	Lesson 85
minding	mind + ing	Lesson 72
missing	miss + ing	Lesson 65
morning	morn + ing	Lesson 78
needing	need + ing	Lesson 85
passing	pass + ing	Lesson 65
picking	pick + ing	Lesson 65
posting	post + ing	Lesson 72
pulling	pull + ing	Lesson 65
pushing	push + ing	Lesson 89
putting	putt + ing	Lesson 67b
reading	read + ing	Lesson 85
seeking	seek + ing	Lesson 85
seeming	seem + ing	Lesson 85
selling	sell + ing	Lesson 65
sending	send + ing	Lesson 65
showing	show + ing	Lesson 86
signing	sign + ing	Lesson 118
sorting	sort + ing	Lesson 78
suiting	suit + ing	Lesson 91
talking	talk + ing	not taught
telling	tell + ing	Lesson 65
testing	test + ing	Lesson 65
turning	turn + ing	Lesson 81
waiting	wait + ing	Lesson 84
walking	walk + ing	not taught
wanting	want + ing	Lesson 65
warning	warn + ing	Lesson 93
wearing	wear + ing	Lesson 112
willing	will + ing	Lesson 65
wishing	wish + ing	Lesson 65
wording	word + ing	Lesson 82
working	work + ing	Lesson 82
breaking	break + ing	Lesson 114
bringing	bring + ing	Lesson 65
building	build + ing	not taught
catching	catch + ing	Lesson 69
checking	check + ing	Lesson 65
claiming	claim + ing	Lesson 84
clearing	clear + ing	Lesson 113
counting	count + ing	Lesson 96
crashing	crash + ing	Lesson 65
flashing	flash + ing	Lesson 65
floating	float + ing	Lesson 86
granting	grant + ing	Lesson 65
grinding	grind + ing	Lesson 72
guessing	guess + ing	not taught
knocking	knock + ing	Lesson 98
learning	learn + ing	Lesson 113
pleasing	pleas + ing	Lesson 85
pointing	point + ing	Lesson 95
pressing	press + ing	Lesson 65
printing	print + ing	Lesson 65
reaching	reach + ing	Lesson 85
sounding	sound + ing	Lesson 96
speaking	speak + ing	Lesson 85
spelling	spell + ing	Lesson 65
spending	spend + ing	Lesson 65
standing	stand + ing	Lesson 65
starting	start + ing	Lesson 77
sticking	stick + ing	Lesson 65
teaching	teach + ing	Lesson 85
thinking	think + ing	Lesson 65
throwing	throw + ing	Lesson 86
touching	touch + ing	not taught
training	train + ing	Lesson 84
treating	treat + ing	Lesson 85
trusting	trust + ing	Lesson 65
watching	watch + ing	Lesson 94
searching	search + ing	Lesson 113
spreading	spread + ing	Lesson 94
switching	switch + ing	Lesson 69
editing	edit + ing	Lesson 67b
opening	open + ing	Lesson 68
adopting	adopt + ing	Lesson 68
agreeing	agree + ing	Lesson 85
allowing	allow + ing	Lesson 96
altering	alter + ing	Lesson 93
avoiding	avoid + ing	Lesson 95
covering	cover + ing	Lesson 80
electing	elect + ing	Lesson 68
entering	enter + ing	Lesson 80
existing	exist + ing	Lesson 68
limiting	limit + ing	Lesson 67b
offering	offer + ing	Lesson 80
ordering	order + ing	Lesson 80
accepting	accept + ing	not taught
according	accord + ing	Lesson 78
affecting	affect + ing	Lesson 68
answering	answer + ing	not taught
appearing	appear + ing	Lesson 113
attaching	attach + ing	Lesson 68
attending	attend + ing	Lesson 68
borrowing	borrow + ing	Lesson 86
bothering	bother + ing	Lesson 80
depending	depend + ing	Lesson 67b
designing	design + ing	Lesson 118
detailing	detail + ing	Lesson 84
detecting	detect + ing	Lesson 67b
directing	direct + ing	Lesson 81
expanding	expand + ing	Lesson 67b
expecting	expect + ing	Lesson 67b
extending	extend + ing	Lesson 67b
finishing	finish + ing	Lesson 67b
following	follow + ing	Lesson 86
happening	happen + ing	Lesson 67b
informing	inform + ing	Lesson 78
inserting	insert + ing	Lesson 80
insisting	insist + ing	Lesson 67b
intending	intend + ing	Lesson 67b
inventing	invent + ing	Lesson 67b
obtaining	obtain + ing	Lesson 84
recording	record + ing	Lesson 78
regarding	regard + ing	Lesson 77
rejecting	reject + ing	Lesson 67b
remaining	remain + ing	Lesson 84
reminding	remind + ing	Lesson 72
repeating	repeat + ing	Lesson 85
reporting	report + ing	Lesson 78
resulting	result + ing	Lesson 67b
returning	return + ing	Lesson 81
revealing	reveal + ing	Lesson 85
selecting	select + ing	Lesson 67b
suffering	suffer + ing	Lesson 80
wondering	wonder + ing	Lesson 80
attempting	attempt + ing	Lesson 68
collecting	collect + ing	Lesson 67b
commenting	comment + ing	Lesson 67b
concerning	concern + ing	Lesson 117
confirming	confirm + ing	Lesson 81
connecting	connect + ing	Lesson 67b
containing	contain + ing	Lesson 84
correcting	correct + ing	Lesson 111
corrupting	corrupt + ing	Lesson 111
discussing	discuss + ing	Lesson 67b
disturbing	disturb + ing	Lesson 81
explaining	explain + ing	Lesson 84
expressing	express + ing	Lesson 67b
installing	install + ing	Lesson 67b
mentioning	mention + ing	Lesson 119
misleading	mislead + ing	Lesson 85
performing	perform + ing	Lesson 80
preventing	prevent + ing	Lesson 68
processing	process + ing	Lesson 117
protecting	protect + ing	Lesson 67b
publishing	publish + ing	Lesson 67b
reflecting	reflect + ing	Lesson 67b
requesting	request + ing	Lesson 68
supporting	support + ing	Lesson 78
suspecting	suspect + ing	Lesson 67b
suspending	suspend + ing	Lesson 67b
complaining	complain + ing	Lesson 84
maintaining	maintain + ing	Lesson 84
restricting	restrict + ing	Lesson 68
delivering	deliver + ing	Lesson 80
developing	develop + ing	Lesson 67b
recovering	recover + ing	Lesson 80
considering	consider + ing	Lesson 80
discovering	discover + ing	Lesson 80
engineering	engineer + ing	Lesson 117
interesting	interest + ing	Lesson 80
registering	register + ing	Lesson 117
remembering	remember + ing	Lesson 80
disappearing	disappear + ing	Lesson 113
embarrassing	embarrass + ing	not taught
establishing	establish + ing	Lesson 67b
guaranteeing	guarantee + ing	not taught
recommending	recommend + ing	Lesson 67b
representing	represent + ing	Lesson 67b
understanding	understand + ing	Lesson 80
misunderstanding	misunderstand + ing	Lesson 80
aiding	aid + ing	Lesson 84
arming	arm + ing	Lesson 77
opting	opt + ing	Lesson 65
owning	own + ing	Lesson 86
barking	bark + ing	Lesson 77
bashing	bash + ing	Lesson 65
beating	beat + ing	Lesson 85
bending	bend + ing	Lesson 65
blowing	blow + ing	Lesson 86
boiling	boil + ing	Lesson 95
booking	book + ing	Lesson 89
burning	burn + ing	Lesson 81
casting	cast + ing	Lesson 65
chewing	chew + ing	Lesson 91
coining	coin + ing	Lesson 95
cooking	cook + ing	Lesson 89
cooling	cool + ing	Lesson 90
dashing	dash + ing	Lesson 65
dooming	doom + ing	Lesson 90
dumping	dump + ing	Lesson 65
earning	earn + ing	Lesson 113
fearing	fear + ing	Lesson 113
filming	film + ing	Lesson 65
fishing	fish + ing	Lesson 65

Double the last consonant

236 words

Double the last consonant
Word	Word sum	Readable after
betting	bet + t + ing	Lesson 107
bidding	bid + d + ing	Lesson 107
cutting	cut + t + ing	Lesson 107
fitting	fit + t + ing	Lesson 107
getting	get + t + ing	Lesson 107
hitting	hit + t + ing	Lesson 107
letting	let + t + ing	Lesson 107
logging	log + g + ing	Lesson 107
ridding	rid + d + ing	Lesson 107
running	run + n + ing	Lesson 107
setting	set + t + ing	Lesson 107
sitting	sit + t + ing	Lesson 107
winning	win + n + ing	Lesson 107
dropping	drop + p + ing	Lesson 107
planning	plan + n + ing	Lesson 107
shopping	shop + p + ing	Lesson 107
shutting	shut + t + ing	Lesson 107
spotting	spot + t + ing	Lesson 107
stopping	stop + p + ing	Lesson 107
trapping	trap + p + ing	Lesson 107
splitting	split + t + ing	Lesson 107
omitting	omit + t + ing	Lesson 107
admitting	admit + t + ing	Lesson 107
beginning	begin + n + ing	Lesson 107
occurring	occur + r + ing	Lesson 107
upsetting	upset + t + ing	Lesson 107
forgetting	forget + t + ing	Lesson 107
permitting	permit + t + ing	Lesson 107
submitting	submit + t + ing	Lesson 107
controlling	control + l + ing	Lesson 107
programming	program + m + ing	Lesson 107
banning	ban + n + ing	Lesson 107
barring	bar + r + ing	Lesson 107
digging	dig + g + ing	Lesson 107
dotting	dot + t + ing	Lesson 107
jamming	jam + m + ing	Lesson 107
kidding	kid + d + ing	Lesson 107
manning	man + n + ing	Lesson 107
mapping	map + p + ing	Lesson 107
padding	pad + d + ing	Lesson 107
popping	pop + p + ing	Lesson 107
ripping	rip + p + ing	Lesson 107
summing	sum + m + ing	Lesson 107
wedding	wed + d + ing	Lesson 107
wetting	wet + t + ing	Lesson 107
chatting	chat + t + ing	Lesson 107
chopping	chop + p + ing	Lesson 107
clipping	clip + p + ing	Lesson 107
dragging	drag + g + ing	Lesson 107
dripping	drip + p + ing	Lesson 107
flagging	flag + g + ing	Lesson 107
flipping	flip + p + ing	Lesson 107
grabbing	grab + b + ing	Lesson 107
plotting	plot + t + ing	Lesson 107
plugging	plug + g + ing	Lesson 107
scanning	scan + n + ing	Lesson 107
shedding	shed + d + ing	Lesson 107
shipping	ship + p + ing	Lesson 107
skipping	skip + p + ing	Lesson 107
slipping	slip + p + ing	Lesson 107
spitting	spit + t + ing	Lesson 107
starring	star + r + ing	Lesson 107
stepping	step + p + ing	Lesson 107
stunning	stun + n + ing	Lesson 107
swapping	swap + p + ing	Lesson 107
swimming	swim + m + ing	Lesson 107
wrapping	wrap + p + ing	Lesson 107
scrapping	scrap + p + ing	Lesson 107
stripping	strip + p + ing	Lesson 107
debugging	debug + g + ing	Lesson 107
incurring	incur + r + ing	Lesson 107
committing	commit + t + ing	Lesson 107
compelling	compel + l + ing	Lesson 107
forbidding	forbid + d + ing	Lesson 111
formatting	format + t + ing	Lesson 107
offsetting	offset + t + ing	Lesson 107
typesetting	typeset + t + ing	Lesson 107
upping	up + p + ing	Lesson 107
bagging	bag + g + ing	Lesson 107
batting	bat + t + ing	Lesson 107
bedding	bed + d + ing	Lesson 107
begging	beg + g + ing	Lesson 107
binning	bin + n + ing	Lesson 107
bobbing	bob + b + ing	Lesson 107
budding	bud + d + ing	Lesson 107
bugging	bug + g + ing	Lesson 107
canning	can + n + ing	Lesson 107
capping	cap + p + ing	Lesson 107
codding	cod + d + ing	Lesson 107
conning	con + n + ing	Lesson 107
copping	cop + p + ing	Lesson 107
dabbing	dab + b + ing	Lesson 107
damming	dam + m + ing	Lesson 107
dimming	dim + m + ing	Lesson 107
dinning	din + n + ing	Lesson 107
dipping	dip + p + ing	Lesson 107
dogging	dog + g + ing	Lesson 107
dubbing	dub + b + ing	Lesson 107
fanning	fan + n + ing	Lesson 107
gabbing	gab + b + ing	Lesson 107
gassing	gas + s + ing	Lesson 107
gigging	gig + g + ing	Lesson 107
ginning	gin + n + ing	Lesson 117
gutting	gut + t + ing	Lesson 107
hemming	hem + m + ing	Lesson 107
hopping	hop + p + ing	Lesson 107
hugging	hug + g + ing	Lesson 107
humming	hum + m + ing	Lesson 107
jabbing	jab + b + ing	Lesson 107
jarring	jar + r + ing	Lesson 107
jetting	jet + t + ing	Lesson 107
jogging	jog + g + ing	Lesson 107
jutting	jut + t + ing	Lesson 107
lagging	lag + g + ing	Lesson 107
lapping	lap + p + ing	Lesson 107
legging	leg + g + ing	Lesson 107
lobbing	lob + b + ing	Lesson 107
lopping	lop + p + ing	Lesson 107
lugging	lug + g + ing	Lesson 107
marring	mar + r + ing	Lesson 107
matting	mat + t + ing	Lesson 107
mopping	mop + p + ing	Lesson 107
mugging	mug + g + ing	Lesson 107
nabbing	nab + b + ing	Lesson 107
nagging	nag + g + ing	Lesson 107
napping	nap + p + ing	Lesson 107
netting	net + t + ing	Lesson 107
nipping	nip + p + ing	Lesson 107
nodding	nod + d + ing	Lesson 107
nutting	nut + t + ing	Lesson 107
panning	pan + n + ing	Lesson 107
patting	pat + t + ing	Lesson 107
pegging	peg + g + ing	Lesson 107
penning	pen + n + ing	Lesson 107
petting	pet + t + ing	Lesson 107
pinning	pin + n + ing	Lesson 107
pitting	pit + t + ing	Lesson 107
ramming	ram + m + ing	Lesson 107
rapping	rap + p + ing	Lesson 107
ribbing	rib + b + ing	Lesson 107
rigging	rig + g + ing	Lesson 107
robbing	rob + b + ing	Lesson 107
rotting	rot + t + ing	Lesson 107
rubbing	rub + b + ing	Lesson 107
sagging	sag + g + ing	Lesson 107
sapping	sap + p + ing	Lesson 107
sinning	sin + n + ing	Lesson 107
sipping	sip + p + ing	Lesson 107
sobbing	sob + b + ing	Lesson 107
sopping	sop + p + ing	Lesson 107
subbing	sub + b + ing	Lesson 107
sunning	sun + n + ing	Lesson 107
tabbing	tab + b + ing	Lesson 107
tagging	tag + g + ing	Lesson 107
tanning	tan + n + ing	Lesson 107
tapping	tap + p + ing	Lesson 107
tarring	tar + r + ing	Lesson 107
tipping	tip + p + ing	Lesson 107
topping	top + p + ing	Lesson 107
tugging	tug + g + ing	Lesson 107
vetting	vet + t + ing	Lesson 107
wagging	wag + g + ing	Lesson 107
warring	war + r + ing	Lesson 107
webbing	web + b + ing	Lesson 107
witting	wit + t + ing	Lesson 107
zipping	zip + p + ing	Lesson 107
blogging	blog + g + ing	Lesson 107
blotting	blot + t + ing	Lesson 107
blurring	blur + r + ing	Lesson 107
bragging	brag + g + ing	Lesson 107
brimming	brim + m + ing	Lesson 107
charring	char + r + ing	Lesson 107
chipping	chip + p + ing	Lesson 107
chugging	chug + g + ing	Lesson 107
clapping	clap + p + ing	Lesson 107
clogging	clog + g + ing	Lesson 107
clotting	clot + t + ing	Lesson 107
clubbing	club + b + ing	Lesson 107
cramming	cram + m + ing	Lesson 107
cribbing	crib + b + ing	Lesson 107
cropping	crop + p + ing	Lesson 107
drumming	drum + m + ing	Lesson 107
flapping	flap + p + ing	Lesson 107
flitting	flit + t + ing	Lesson 107
flogging	flog + g + ing	Lesson 107
flopping	flop + p + ing	Lesson 107
fretting	fret + t + ing	Lesson 107
grinning	grin + n + ing	Lesson 107
gripping	grip + p + ing	Lesson 107
gritting	grit + t + ing	Lesson 107
knitting	knit + t + ing	Lesson 107
plodding	plod + d + ing	Lesson 107
prodding	prod + d + ing	Lesson 107
propping	prop + p + ing	Lesson 107
scarring	scar + r + ing	Lesson 107
shunning	shun + n + ing	Lesson 107
skidding	skid + d + ing	Lesson 107
skimming	skim + m + ing	Lesson 107
slamming	slam + m + ing	Lesson 107
slapping	slap + p + ing	Lesson 107
sledding	sled + d + ing	Lesson 107
slimming	slim + m + ing	Lesson 107
slogging	slog + g + ing	Lesson 107
slotting	slot + t + ing	Lesson 107
slugging	slug + g + ing	Lesson 107
slurring	slur + r + ing	Lesson 107
snagging	snag + g + ing	Lesson 107
snapping	snap + p + ing	Lesson 107
snubbing	snub + b + ing	Lesson 107
snugging	snug + g + ing	Lesson 107
spanning	span + n + ing	Lesson 107
sparring	spar + r + ing	Lesson 107
spinning	spin + n + ing	Lesson 107
spurring	spur + r + ing	Lesson 107
stemming	stem + m + ing	Lesson 107
thinning	thin + n + ing	Lesson 107
trimming	trim + m + ing	Lesson 107
tripping	trip + p + ing	Lesson 107
trotting	trot + t + ing	Lesson 107
whipping	whip + p + ing	Lesson 107
scrubbing	scrub + b + ing	Lesson 107
shredding	shred + d + ing	Lesson 107
shrugging	shrug + g + ing	Lesson 107
strapping	strap + p + ing	Lesson 107
strumming	strum + m + ing	Lesson 107
strutting	strut + t + ing	Lesson 107
throbbing	throb + b + ing	Lesson 107
emitting	emit + t + ing	Lesson 107
rebutting	rebut + t + ing	Lesson 107
recapping	recap + p + ing	Lesson 107
concurring	concur + r + ing	Lesson 107
unwrapping	unwrap + p + ing	Lesson 107
overlapping	overlap + p + ing	Lesson 107
handicapping	handicap + p + ing	not taught
resubmitting	resubmit + t + ing	Lesson 107
reprogramming	reprogram + m + ing	Lesson 107

Drop the silent e

The 240 most common of 580 words

Drop the silent e
Word	Word sum	Readable after
owing	owe minus e + ing	Lesson 109
basing	base minus e + ing	Lesson 109
biting	bite minus e + ing	Lesson 109
coding	code minus e + ing	Lesson 109
coming	come minus e + ing	Lesson 109
dating	date minus e + ing	Lesson 109
filing	file minus e + ing	Lesson 109
giving	give minus e + ing	Lesson 109
having	have minus e + ing	Lesson 109
hiding	hide minus e + ing	Lesson 109
hoping	hope minus e + ing	Lesson 109
liking	like minus e + ing	Lesson 109
losing	lose minus e + ing	not taught
making	make minus e + ing	Lesson 109
moving	move minus e + ing	not taught
naming	name minus e + ing	Lesson 109
noting	note minus e + ing	Lesson 109
saving	save minus e + ing	Lesson 109
taking	take minus e + ing	Lesson 109
timing	time minus e + ing	Lesson 109
typing	type minus e + ing	Lesson 109
causing	cause minus e + ing	Lesson 109
driving	drive minus e + ing	Lesson 109
forcing	force minus e + ing	Lesson 109
leaving	leave minus e + ing	Lesson 109
placing	place minus e + ing	Lesson 109
proving	prove minus e + ing	not taught
quoting	quote minus e + ing	Lesson 109
raising	raise minus e + ing	Lesson 109
serving	serve minus e + ing	Lesson 109
solving	solve minus e + ing	Lesson 109
stating	state minus e + ing	Lesson 109
wasting	waste minus e + ing	Lesson 109
writing	write minus e + ing	Lesson 109
changing	change minus e + ing	Lesson 109
charging	charge minus e + ing	Lesson 109
choosing	choose minus e + ing	Lesson 109
striking	strike minus e + ing	Lesson 109
amusing	amuse minus e + ing	Lesson 109
advising	advise minus e + ing	Lesson 109
arriving	arrive minus e + ing	Lesson 111
assuming	assume minus e + ing	Lesson 109
assuring	assure minus e + ing	not taught
becoming	become minus e + ing	Lesson 109
creating	create minus e + ing	Lesson 109
deciding	decide minus e + ing	not taught
defining	define minus e + ing	Lesson 109
deleting	delete minus e + ing	Lesson 109
deriving	derive minus e + ing	Lesson 109
devoting	devote minus e + ing	Lesson 109
dividing	divide minus e + ing	Lesson 109
ensuring	ensure minus e + ing	not taught
imposing	impose minus e + ing	Lesson 109
inviting	invite minus e + ing	Lesson 109
managing	manage minus e + ing	Lesson 109
noticing	notice minus e + ing	Lesson 109
opposing	oppose minus e + ing	Lesson 109
reducing	reduce minus e + ing	Lesson 109
relating	relate minus e + ing	Lesson 109
removing	remove minus e + ing	not taught
updating	update minus e + ing	Lesson 109
achieving	achieve minus e + ing	not taught
advancing	advance minus e + ing	Lesson 109
approving	approve minus e + ing	not taught
arranging	arrange minus e + ing	Lesson 111
believing	believe minus e + ing	not taught
composing	compose minus e + ing	Lesson 109
computing	compute minus e + ing	Lesson 109
confusing	confuse minus e + ing	Lesson 109
excluding	exclude minus e + ing	Lesson 109
improving	improve minus e + ing	not taught
including	include minus e + ing	Lesson 109
involving	involve minus e + ing	Lesson 109
measuring	measure minus e + ing	Lesson 119
mistaking	mistake minus e + ing	Lesson 109
observing	observe minus e + ing	Lesson 109
producing	produce minus e + ing	Lesson 109
promising	promise minus e + ing	Lesson 109
proposing	propose minus e + ing	Lesson 109
providing	provide minus e + ing	Lesson 109
receiving	receive minus e + ing	not taught
releasing	release minus e + ing	Lesson 109
requiring	require minus e + ing	Lesson 109
reserving	reserve minus e + ing	Lesson 109
supposing	suppose minus e + ing	Lesson 109
surviving	survive minus e + ing	Lesson 109
welcoming	welcome minus e + ing	Lesson 109
completing	complete minus e + ing	Lesson 109
convincing	convince minus e + ing	Lesson 109
describing	describe minus e + ing	Lesson 109
increasing	increase minus e + ing	Lesson 109
persuading	persuade minus e + ing	not taught
surprising	surprise minus e + ing	Lesson 109
translating	translate minus e + ing	Lesson 109
examining	examine minus e + ing	Lesson 109
executing	execute minus e + ing	Lesson 109
isolating	isolate minus e + ing	Lesson 109
operating	operate minus e + ing	Lesson 109
generating	generate minus e + ing	Lesson 117
advertising	advertise minus e + ing	Lesson 109
introducing	introduce minus e + ing	Lesson 109
complicating	complicate minus e + ing	Lesson 109
associating	associate minus e + ing	not taught
experiencing	experience minus e + ing	not taught
baking	bake minus e + ing	Lesson 109
casing	case minus e + ing	Lesson 109
citing	cite minus e + ing	Lesson 117
coping	cope minus e + ing	Lesson 109
curing	cure minus e + ing	not taught
dining	dine minus e + ing	Lesson 109
diving	dive minus e + ing	Lesson 109
facing	face minus e + ing	Lesson 109
fining	fine minus e + ing	Lesson 109
firing	fire minus e + ing	Lesson 109
hating	hate minus e + ing	Lesson 109
hiring	hire minus e + ing	Lesson 109
joking	joke minus e + ing	Lesson 109
lining	line minus e + ing	Lesson 109
loving	love minus e + ing	Lesson 109
mining	mine minus e + ing	Lesson 109
paging	page minus e + ing	Lesson 109
posing	pose minus e + ing	Lesson 109
racing	race minus e + ing	Lesson 109
rating	rate minus e + ing	Lesson 109
raving	rave minus e + ing	Lesson 109
riding	ride minus e + ing	Lesson 109
rising	rise minus e + ing	Lesson 109
ruling	rule minus e + ing	Lesson 109
siding	side minus e + ing	Lesson 109
sizing	size minus e + ing	Lesson 109
tuning	tune minus e + ing	Lesson 109
urging	urge minus e + ing	Lesson 109
voting	vote minus e + ing	Lesson 109
wading	wade minus e + ing	Lesson 109
waking	wake minus e + ing	Lesson 109
waving	wave minus e + ing	Lesson 109
wiping	wipe minus e + ing	Lesson 109
wiring	wire minus e + ing	Lesson 109
blaming	blame minus e + ing	Lesson 109
ceasing	cease minus e + ing	Lesson 117
chasing	chase minus e + ing	Lesson 109
dancing	dance minus e + ing	Lesson 109
guiding	guide minus e + ing	not taught
merging	merge minus e + ing	Lesson 109
parsing	parse minus e + ing	Lesson 109
pausing	pause minus e + ing	Lesson 109
phasing	phase minus e + ing	Lesson 109
phoning	phone minus e + ing	Lesson 109
pricing	price minus e + ing	Lesson 109
queuing	queue minus e + ing	not taught
ranging	range minus e + ing	Lesson 109
scaling	scale minus e + ing	Lesson 109
shaking	shake minus e + ing	Lesson 109
shaping	shape minus e + ing	Lesson 109
shining	shine minus e + ing	Lesson 109
slicing	slice minus e + ing	Lesson 109
sliding	slide minus e + ing	Lesson 109
smiling	smile minus e + ing	Lesson 109
smoking	smoke minus e + ing	Lesson 109
spacing	space minus e + ing	Lesson 109
tasting	taste minus e + ing	Lesson 109
tracing	trace minus e + ing	Lesson 109
trading	trade minus e + ing	Lesson 109
clothing	clothe minus e + ing	Lesson 109
cruising	cruise minus e + ing	Lesson 109
freezing	freeze minus e + ing	Lesson 109
phrasing	phrase minus e + ing	Lesson 109
plaguing	plague minus e + ing	not taught
starving	starve minus e + ing	Lesson 109
breathing	breathe minus e + ing	Lesson 109
squeezing	squeeze minus e + ing	Lesson 109
amazing	amaze minus e + ing	Lesson 109
arising	arise minus e + ing	Lesson 111
erasing	erase minus e + ing	Lesson 109
uniting	unite minus e + ing	Lesson 109
accusing	accuse minus e + ing	Lesson 109
adhering	adhere minus e + ing	not taught
alleging	allege minus e + ing	Lesson 109
behaving	behave minus e + ing	Lesson 109
debating	debate minus e + ing	Lesson 109
decoding	decode minus e + ing	Lesson 109
devising	devise minus e + ing	Lesson 109
donating	donate minus e + ing	Lesson 109
emerging	emerge minus e + ing	Lesson 109
encoding	encode minus e + ing	Lesson 109
engaging	engage minus e + ing	Lesson 109
escaping	escape minus e + ing	Lesson 109
evolving	evolve minus e + ing	Lesson 109
exciting	excite minus e + ing	not taught
expiring	expire minus e + ing	Lesson 109
exposing	expose minus e + ing	Lesson 109
incoming	income minus e + ing	Lesson 109
inducing	induce minus e + ing	Lesson 109
injuring	injure minus e + ing	Lesson 109
invading	invade minus e + ing	Lesson 109
invoking	invoke minus e + ing	Lesson 109
locating	locate minus e + ing	Lesson 109
obliging	oblige minus e + ing	Lesson 109
refining	refine minus e + ing	Lesson 109
renaming	rename minus e + ing	Lesson 109
resuming	resume minus e + ing	Lesson 109
retiring	retire minus e + ing	Lesson 109
revising	revise minus e + ing	Lesson 109
rotating	rotate minus e + ing	Lesson 109
balancing	balance minus e + ing	Lesson 109
competing	compete minus e + ing	Lesson 109
compiling	compile minus e + ing	Lesson 109
confining	confine minus e + ing	Lesson 109
consuming	consume minus e + ing	Lesson 109
declining	decline minus e + ing	Lesson 109
degrading	degrade minus e + ing	Lesson 109
depriving	deprive minus e + ing	Lesson 109
deserving	deserve minus e + ing	Lesson 109
disliking	dislike minus e + ing	Lesson 109
disposing	dispose minus e + ing	Lesson 109
enforcing	enforce minus e + ing	Lesson 109
enhancing	enhance minus e + ing	Lesson 109
exploding	explode minus e + ing	Lesson 109
forgiving	forgive minus e + ing	Lesson 109
indulging	indulge minus e + ing	Lesson 109
inspiring	inspire minus e + ing	Lesson 109
licensing	license minus e + ing	Lesson 117
migrating	migrate minus e + ing	Lesson 109
obscuring	obscure minus e + ing	not taught
outlining	outline minus e + ing	Lesson 109
outraging	outrage minus e + ing	Lesson 109
presuming	presume minus e + ing	Lesson 109
promoting	promote minus e + ing	Lesson 109
provoking	provoke minus e + ing	Lesson 109
relieving	relieve minus e + ing	not taught
resolving	resolve minus e + ing	Lesson 109
reversing	reverse minus e + ing	Lesson 109
rewriting	rewrite minus e + ing	Lesson 109
upgrading	upgrade minus e + ing	Lesson 109
announcing	announce minus e + ing	Lesson 109
collapsing	collapse minus e + ing	Lesson 109
comprising	comprise minus e + ing	Lesson 109
conceiving	conceive minus e + ing	not taught
concluding	conclude minus e + ing	Lesson 109
condensing	condense minus e + ing	Lesson 109

Keep the y

86 words

Keep the y
Word	Word sum	Readable after
flying	fly + ing	Lesson 73
paying	pay + ing	Lesson 84
saying	say + ing	Lesson 84
trying	try + ing	Lesson 73
playing	play + ing	Lesson 84
staying	stay + ing	Lesson 84
burying	bury + ing	not taught
copying	copy + ing	Lesson 74
varying	vary + ing	not taught
annoying	annoy + ing	Lesson 95
applying	apply + ing	Lesson 73
carrying	carry + ing	Lesson 74
implying	imply + ing	Lesson 73
replying	reply + ing	Lesson 73
studying	study + ing	Lesson 74
worrying	worry + ing	Lesson 111
supplying	supply + ing	Lesson 73
destroying	destroy + ing	Lesson 95
displaying	display + ing	Lesson 84
modifying	modify + ing	Lesson 73
occupying	occupy + ing	not taught
justifying	justify + ing	Lesson 73
qualifying	qualify + ing	Lesson 94
satisfying	satisfy + ing	Lesson 73
specifying	specify + ing	Lesson 117
crying	cry + ing	Lesson 73
drying	dry + ing	Lesson 73
frying	fry + ing	Lesson 73
keying	key + ing	Lesson 85
laying	lay + ing	Lesson 84
praying	pray + ing	Lesson 84
denying	deny + ing	Lesson 73
obeying	obey + ing	Lesson 114
delaying	delay + ing	Lesson 84
emptying	empty + ing	Lesson 74
enjoying	enjoy + ing	Lesson 95
marrying	marry + ing	not taught
employing	employ + ing	Lesson 95
portraying	portray + ing	Lesson 84
unifying	unify + ing	Lesson 73
notifying	notify + ing	Lesson 73
verifying	verify + ing	Lesson 73
clarifying	clarify + ing	not taught
horrifying	horrify + ing	Lesson 73
rectifying	rectify + ing	Lesson 73
terrifying	terrify + ing	Lesson 73
classifying	classify + ing	Lesson 73
multiplying	multiply + ing	Lesson 73
simplifying	simplify + ing	Lesson 73
identifying	identify + ing	Lesson 73
accompanying	accompany + ing	Lesson 74
baying	bay + ing	Lesson 84
haying	hay + ing	Lesson 84
joying	joy + ing	Lesson 95
plying	ply + ing	Lesson 73
prying	pry + ing	Lesson 73
shying	shy + ing	Lesson 73
spying	spy + ing	Lesson 73
toying	toy + ing	Lesson 95
fraying	fray + ing	Lesson 84
preying	prey + ing	Lesson 114
swaying	sway + ing	Lesson 84
spraying	spray + ing	Lesson 84
straying	stray + ing	Lesson 84
allying	ally + ing	Lesson 73
defying	defy + ing	Lesson 73
pitying	pity + ing	Lesson 74
arraying	array + ing	Lesson 111
bullying	bully + ing	Lesson 74
decaying	decay + ing	Lesson 84
hurrying	hurry + ing	Lesson 81
jollying	jolly + ing	Lesson 74
muddying	muddy + ing	Lesson 74
partying	party + ing	Lesson 77
readying	ready + ing	Lesson 94
relaying	relay + ing	Lesson 84
repaying	repay + ing	Lesson 84
complying	comply + ing	Lesson 73
conveying	convey + ing	Lesson 114
dismaying	dismay + ing	Lesson 84
monkeying	monkey + ing	Lesson 85
prepaying	prepay + ing	Lesson 84
surveying	survey + ing	Lesson 114
remedying	remedy + ing	Lesson 74
photocopying	photocopy + ing	Lesson 74
disqualifying	disqualify + ing	Lesson 94

Change ie to y

3 words

Change ie to y
Word	Word sum	Readable after
dying	die: ie to y + ing	Lesson 109
lying	lie: ie to y + ing	Lesson 109
tying	tie: ie to y + ing	Lesson 73

Words that break the rule

None. No public word in our lexicon breaks this pattern.

How do you teach it?

Teach the cases one at a time in this order: just add, drop e, double, keep y, ie to y. Once all five are taught, give a mixed list and a decision chart. Silent e? One short vowel and one consonant? Ends in y? Ends in ie? If none apply, just add -ing.

"We have 'tie' plus -ing. Silent e? Not quite; it ends in i-e. That's the ie case: change ie to y and add -ing. T-y-i-n-g. Read it: tying. If we just added -ing we'd get 'tieing', with three vowels in a row."

What is the common error, and the fix?

Mixed lists reveal the errors: "makeing", "runing", "cryng", "lieing". Each one is a case applied wrongly or skipped. The fix is the chart, used out loud, until students run through it silently.

Sort it: a hands-on activity

Use five headers, one per case. Students draw base words (shop, bake, play, die, read, sit, hope, try) and sort them before writing the -ing form. A sixth card, "check again", catches any word they cannot place.

How this list was built

Every word comes from our lexicon of about 19,000 common words, each checked against a pronouncing dictionary and split into spelling units. Words a student meets in our assessments and progress-monitoring probes are left out, so practicing a list never rehearses a test. Rule groups are computed from each word's spelling units and its word sum (base plus suffix), then checked by hand; false word sums such as man + er for manner are removed.

"Readable after" is the first lesson in the lesson sequence at which our decodability engine finds every sound-spelling in the word taught; "not taught" means the word has a spelling the sequence does not cover, so it is read with help. You can check your own lists and passages with the free decodable text checker.

Questions people ask

Do you ever drop the y before -ing?

No. Before -ing the y always stays, even after a consonant: try, trying; study, studying. Our list has 86 keep-y words.

Why does lie become lying?

Words ending in ie change the ie to y before -ing, so three vowels do not pile up. Our list has 3: dying, lying, tying.

Do you double the consonant in words like visit?

Only if the last syllable is stressed. Begin becomes beginning, but visit becomes visiting. The two-syllable doubling page lists both groups.

Why does seeing keep both e's?

The ee in see is a vowel team, not a silent e. Only a silent e is dropped, so see, free and agree keep theirs: seeing, freeing, agreeing.