What is Double final consonant?

"Double final consonant" is a term used in English spelling and pronunciation, and it refers to a specific rule that governs how we spell words when we add a suffix, especially suffixes that begin with a vowel (like "-ing" or "-ed").

Here's how it works:

The Rule:

1. Identify the word: You start with a word that ends in a single consonant.

2. Check the vowel before the consonant: The vowel before the consonant must be a single, short vowel sound (like "cat", "hop", "run").

3. Add a suffix beginning with a vowel: When you add a suffix like "-ing", "-ed", "-er", "-est", "-y" to the word, you double the final consonant.

Examples:

* "run" + "ing" = "running" (The vowel before "n" is "u", a short vowel sound.)

* "hop" + "ed" = "hopped" (The vowel before "p" is "o", a short vowel sound.)

* "big" + "er" = "bigger" (The vowel before "g" is "i", a short vowel sound.)

Exceptions:

* Words ending in "w", "x", or "y" do not double the final consonant. For example: "saw + ing = sawing", "box + ed = boxed", "cry + ing = crying".

* If the word ends in a consonant followed by a consonant, the final consonant is not doubled. For example: "clap + ing = clapping".

Why does this rule exist?

The doubling of final consonants helps maintain the short vowel sound in the base word. Without doubling the consonant, the vowel sound might change. For example, "run" would become "runin" instead of "running", changing the intended pronunciation.

This rule can seem tricky at first, but with practice, it becomes intuitive and helps you spell words correctly.