The Top 4 Spelling Rules (With Exceptions):

Spelling rules are a bit like weather forecasts: we may pay attention to them, but we really can't depend on them to be right 100% of the time. In fact, the only foolproof rule is that all spelling rules in English have exceptions. Still, many writers find that certain rules help them remember how to spell particular types of words, especially those formed by adding suffixes (or word endings). Here we'll look at four popular spelling rules that may be helpful to you.

Using I Before E

Use i before e, except after c, or when sounded as "a" as in "neighbor" and "weigh."

Examples: believe, chief, piece, and thief; deceive, receive, weigh, and freight

Common exceptions: efficient, weird, height, neither, ancient, caffeine, foreign.

Dropping the Final E

Drop the final e before a suffix beginning with a vowel (a, e, i, o, u) but not before a suffix beginning with a consonant.

Examples: 

ride + ing = riding

guide + ance = guidance

hope + ing = hoping

entire + ly = entirely

like + ness = likeness

arrange + ment = arrangement

Exceptions: truly, noticeable

Changing a Final Y to I

Change a final y to i before a suffix, unless the suffix begins with i.

Examples:

defy + ance = defiance

party + es = parties

pity + ful = pitiful

try + es = tries

try + ing = trying

copy + ing = copying

occupy + ing = occupying

Common exceptions: journeying, memorize

Doubling a Final Consonant

Double a final single consonant before a suffix beginning with a vowel when both of these conditions exist:

(a) a single vowel precedes the consonant;

(b) the consonant ends an accented syllable or a one-syllable word.

Examples: 

stop + ing = stopping

admit + ed = admitted

occur + ence = occurrence

stoop + ing = stooping

benefit + ed = benefited

delight + ful = delightful