What it looks like:
* Running: The "n" is doubled.
* Hammer: The "m" is doubled.
* Silly: The "l" is doubled.
Why it matters:
* Pronunciation: Doubled consonants usually indicate a short vowel sound before the doubled consonant. Compare "run" (short "u" sound) with "rune" (long "u" sound).
* Word origins: Doubled consonants can sometimes be a clue to a word's etymology (origin). For example, the word "happy" comes from Old English "hāp" (meaning "luck") and "ig" (meaning "full of"). The doubling of the "p" in "happy" is a result of combining these two words.
* Spelling rules: There are specific rules about when to double consonants in English spelling. These rules are based on the pronunciation of the word and the preceding vowel.
Here are some common spelling rules:
* Adding suffixes: If a word ends in a single consonant preceded by a single vowel, you often double the consonant before adding a suffix that starts with a vowel (e.g., "run" + "ing" = "running").
* Stress patterns: Sometimes, doubling a consonant is a way to mark the stress pattern of a word (e.g., "permit" vs. "permitted").
It's important to remember that not every doubled consonant is a result of a spelling rule. Some words just happen to have doubled consonants as part of their historical spelling.
Let me know if you'd like to learn more about specific spelling rules or examples of doubled consonants!