Here's a breakdown:
* Silent "e" at the end of a word: This "e" is often silent because it only serves to lengthen the vowel sound before it. For example, "hope" has a long "o" sound.
* Suffixes beginning with vowels: These include suffixes like "-ing", "-able", "-er", "-est", and "-ous".
* The rule: When adding a suffix beginning with a vowel, the silent "e" is typically dropped to avoid a double vowel sound.
Examples:
* Hope + ing = Hoping (The "e" is dropped)
* Care + ful = Careful (The "e" is dropped)
* Use + able = Usable (The "e" is dropped)
Exceptions:
There are a few exceptions to this rule:
* Words ending in "ce" or "ge" followed by "-able" or "-ous": Keep the "e" to keep the soft "c" or "g" sound.
* Notice + able = Noticeable
* Change + able = Changeable
* Words ending in "ie" followed by "-ing": Change the "ie" to "y" before adding "-ing".
* Tie + ing = Tying
Let me know if you have any other questions!