Changing -y to -i
Have you ever wondered why words like “happy” turn into “happier” when you add a suffix? What happens to that little “-y”? Well, welcome to the magical world of the changing -y to -i rule! It’s one of those spelling tricks that’s easier than it seems once you know the rules.
Here’s how it works: if a word ends in -y and it comes after a consonant, you change the -y to -i before adding most suffixes. For example, “funny” becomes “funnier,” and “baby” becomes “babies.” Easy, right?
But wait—there’s a catch! If you’re adding -ing, you keep the -y. Why? Because English loves avoiding awkward spellings like “driing.” So instead of changing the -y to -i, you just keep it: “dry” ➔ “dries,” but “dry + ing” ➔ “drying.” Simple, but clever!
Now, here’s another twist: if the -y follows a vowel, you leave it alone. Words like “play” or “joy” don’t change. So, “playing” and “joyful” stay as they are—no awkward changes needed.
This rule is all about keeping words easy to read and pronounce while making sure they follow consistent patterns. Once you master it, you’ll find it way easier to spell words like “ladies,” “happiest,” or “replies.” Plus, knowing this rule helps you recognize how words change their meanings when suffixes are added.
So, next time you see a -y at the end of a word, you’ll know whether to keep it or let it transform into -i like the spelling pro you are!
Try to find as many of the above prefix words in the short story below!
Esther’s Happiest Party Ever
Esther was excited to plan her birthday party. She was known for throwing the funniest events, so she wanted this one to be even funnier than last year. She invited all the ladies from her class and told them to bring their favourite babies for a “tiny tots” theme. The replies to her invitations came in quickly, and she hurried to set everything up.
On the morning of the party, Esther carried decorations into the garden, carefully arranging balloons and banners. As she worked, she noticed the sun drying out the grass, making it look tidier than ever. Her mum helped her bake cupcakes, and they fried some delicious snacks for the kids to enjoy. “This might be the happiest party ever,” Esther said as she set the table.
When the guests arrived, they were all playing games and laughing. The children were trying to catch bubbles, and the parents enjoyed chatting. Esther’s best friend tried to carry too many plates and hurriedly dropped them, but no one minded. “This is the funniest thing I’ve seen all day!” Esther laughed.
As the sun set, everyone said their goodbyes. Esther was thrilled that her party was one of the happiest days she’d ever had. She tidied up and replied to her mum’s questions about the day with one word: “Perfect.”
How many of the -y to -i words did you find in Esther’s birthday story? Now that you are more familiar with the rules about -y to -i, it’s time to have a go at spelling some of these words from memory.
