A deep dive into English words that feature silent letters, double consonants, and tricky suffixes frequently tested in AHC exams.
- Double Consonants in Middle: Words like 'Accommodation' (two c's, two m's) and 'Committee' (two m's, two t's, two e's) are frequent stumbling blocks.
- IE vs EI Rule (I Before E Except After C): Follow 'ie' normally (Achieve, Believe), but use 'ei' after 'c' (Receive, Deceive) or with long 'a' sound (Neighbour, Weigh).
- Suffix Additions (-able vs -ible): If the root is a complete word, add '-able' (Read-readable). If the root is not a standalone word, add '-ible' (Aud-audible).
- Silent Letters Trap: Words with hidden letters such as 'Environment' (n before m), 'Government' (n before m), and 'Dumbbell' (b at the end).
- Suffixes with 'E' Dropping: Drop the silent 'e' when adding a vowel suffix (Argument from Argue, but retain it in 'Acreage').
| Incorrect Spelling | Correct Spelling | Key Rule / Focus Area |
|---|---|---|
| Acknowledge | Acknowledge | Contains silent 'k' and 'g' |
| Millennium | Millennium | Double 'l' and double 'n' |
| Privilege | Privilege | Spelled with three 'i's and no 'd' |
| Questionnaire | Questionnaire | Double 'n' and ending in '-aire' |