The General Rule:
* If the "y" is preceded by a consonant, change the "y" to "i" before adding a suffix that doesn't begin with "i".
Examples:
* Happy + -ness = happiness
* Cry + -ing = crying
* Try + -ed = tried
* Beauty + -ful = beautiful
* Baby + -ish = babyish
The Exception:
* If the "y" is preceded by a vowel, keep the "y" when adding a suffix.
Examples:
* Boy + -s = boys
* Day + -light = daylight
* Play + -ed = played
* Convey + -ance = conveyance
Key Points:
* The "i" change applies to most suffixes except those starting with "i" (e.g., -ing, -ish).
* This rule helps maintain consistent pronunciation and spelling.
* There are some exceptions to this general rule, so always check a dictionary if you're unsure.