Words that End in -ce and -ge
Ever noticed that some words keep their -e at the end, even when a suffix is added? That’s because in English, words ending in -ce or -ge often keep the final -e to protect their soft “c” or “g” sounds. Without the -e, these words would sound completely different—and sometimes downright weird!
Here’s how it works: When you add a suffix like -able or -ous, words like “notice” and “courage” keep their -e to preserve the soft “c” or “g” sound. For example, “noticeable” keeps the -e so it doesn’t turn into “noticable,” which would sound odd. Similarly, “courageous” keeps the -e to avoid “couragous.”
But, as with many English rules, there are exceptions. If the suffix starts with a vowel, like -ing or -ed, the -e is often dropped. For instance, “manage” becomes “managing,” and “notice” becomes “noticed.” The pronunciation stays smooth, so no -e is needed.
Why does this rule matter? It’s all about clarity and pronunciation. Imagine trying to figure out what “changable” means instead of “changeable” or saying “outragous” instead of “outrageous.”
Keeping the -e ensures words are easy to read and say.
So, next time you’re adding a suffix to a word ending in -ce or -ge, ask yourself: Does keeping the -e help the word keep its sound? If yes, leave it in! This little rule makes a big difference in spelling—and helps keep your writing clear and sharp. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll never mix up “traceable” and “tracable” again!
Try to find as many of the above prefix words in the short story below!
Timothy’s Adventurous Task
Timothy was excited but nervous when his teacher gave him an adventurous task: organise a charity event for the local community. He started by noticing how others had managed similar events. To make things manageable, he wrote a clear plan and included traceable steps to track progress.
His first idea was a talent show. Timothy wanted it to feel peaceable and welcoming for everyone, so he embraced creative suggestions from his friends. He knew an exciting show could bring people together, which made him feel even more courageous.
The next challenge was to find performers. “We need acts that are truly changeable,” Timothy said, encouraging flexibility in case someone couldn’t show up. His sister suggested a drama group that could perform an outrageous comedy sketch. “Perfect!” Timothy laughed.
As the day approached, Timothy managed the decorations, ensuring everything looked serviceable and neat. He was careful with the props, as some were easily damageable. He double-checked that everything was replaceable, just in case.
During the event, Timothy couldn’t stop noticing how happy everyone looked. From children practicing their dance moves to adults embracing the fun, the atmosphere was amazing. Timothy’s confidence grew as he encouraged the performers. One singer’s act was so moving that the audience gave her a standing ovation. Timothy knew this moment would be easily traceable in their memories.
At the end of the night, Timothy’s teacher praised him: “Your work was truly advantageous for the community.” Feeling proud, Timothy said, “I’m glad I didn’t give up when I started managing everything. This has been the most rewarding challenge yet!”
How many of the final -ge and -ce words did you find in Timothy’s story? Now that you are more familiar with the rules about about when to keep and when to drop the final -e, it’s time to have a go at spelling some of these words from memory.
