APPENDIX

Lesson 05

Spelling rules for the Present Continuous

1. Add -ing to the base form of the verb.

read reading
walk walking

2. If a verb ends in a silent -e , drop the final -e and add -ing .

take taking
leave leaving

3. In a one-syllable word, if the last three letters are a consonant-vowel-consonant

combination (CVC), double the last consonant before adding -ing.

s i t sitting

C V C

s w i m swimming

C V C

* However, do not double the last consonant in words that end in w, x or y.

Sew sewing
fix fixing
enjoy enjoying

4. In words of two or more syllables that end in a consonant-vowel-consonant

combination, double the last consonant only if the last syllable is stressed.

admit admitting (the last syllable is stressed)

whisper whispering (the last syllable is not stressed, so you
don't double the -r )

5. If a verb ends in -ie , change the -ie to y before adding -ing.

die dying

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Spelling rules for Adverbs of manner (-ly )

1. Add -ly to the corresponding adjective

nice nicely
quiet quietly
beautiful beautifully

2. If the adjective ends in a consonant +y , change the y to i before adding - ly.

easy easily

3. If the adjective ends in -le , drop the e and add -y .

possible possibly

* However, do not drop the e for other adjectives ending in -e .

extreme extremely

Exception: true truly

4. If the adjective ends in -ic , add -ally .

basic basically
fantastic fantastically

Lesson 09

List of common non-action verbs

Emotions

admire adore appreciate care detest dislike doubt

envy fear hate hope like love regret
respect trust

Mental states

agree assume believe consider disagree disbelieve estimate

expect feel (believe) find guess hesitate hope imagine
know mean mind presume realize recognize remember
see (understand) suppose suspect think (believe) understand wonder

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Wants and preferences

desire need prefer want wish

Perception and the senses

feel hear notice observe perceive see smell

taste

Appearance and value

appear be cost equal feel look matter

represent resemble seem signify smell sound taste
weigh

Possession and relationship

belong contain have own possess

Lesson 12

Spelling rules for the Comparative (-er ) and Superlative (-est ) of adjectives

1. Add -e r to one-syllable adjectives to form the comparative. Add -e s t to one-syllable

adjectives to form the superlative.

cheap cheaper cheapest

bright brighter brightest

2. If the adjective ends in -e , add -r or -st .

nice nicer nicest

3. If the adjective ends in a consonant + y , change y to i before you add -er or -est .

pretty prettier prettiest

Exception: shy shyer shyest

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4. If the adjective ends in a consonant-vowel-consonant combination (CVC), double the

final consonant before adding -er or -est .

b i g bigger biggest

C V C

*However, do not double the consonant in words ending in -w or -y .

slow slower slowest

coy coyer coyest

List of irregular adjectives for the Comparative and the Superlative

ADJECTIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE

bad worse worst
far farther / further farthest / furthest
good better best
little less least
many/a lot of more most
much*/a lot of more most

*Much is usually only used in questions and negative statements.

List of irregular adjectives for the Comparative and the Superlative

ADJECTIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE

common commoner / more common commonest / most common
cruel crueler / more cruel cruelest / most cruel
deadly deadlier / more deadly deadliest / most deadly
friendly friendlier / more friendly friendliest / most friendly
handsome handsomer / more handsome handsomest / most handsome
happy happier / more happy happiest / most happy
likely likelier / more likely likeliest / most likely
lively livelier / more lively liveliest / most lively
lonely lonelier / more lonely loneliest / most lonely
lovely lovelier / more lovely loveliest / most lovely

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ADJECTIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE

narrow narrower / more narrow narrowest / most narrow

pleasant pleasanter / more pleasant pleasantest / most pleasant
polite politer / more polite politest / most polite
quiet quieter / more quiet quietest / most quiet
shallow shallower / more shallow shallowest / most shallow
sincere sincerer / more sincere sincerest / most sincere
stupid stupider / more stupid stupidest / most stupid
true truer / more true truest / most true

List of common verbs followed by the gerund

acknowledge admit advise appreciate avoid can't help celebrate

consider delay deny detest discontinue discuss dislike
endure enjoy escape explain feel like finish forgive
give up (stop) imagine justify keep (continue) mention
mind (object to) miss postpone practice prevent prohibit
propose quit recall recommend regret report resent
resist risk suggest support tolerate understand

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