##  [Spelling: When to double the final consonant before a suffix](/writing-tips-plus/spelling-final-consonants-doubled-before-a-suffix)

##  Avertissement

Ce contenu est offert en anglais seulement.

## On this page

- [General information](#general-information)
- [Suffixes starting with a consonant](#consonant)
- [Suffixes starting with a vowel](#vowel)
- [Words with one syllable](#one-syllable)
- [Words with two or more syllables](#two-syllables)
- [Additional information](#additional-information)

## General information

The rules for doubling the final consonant of a word before a suffix depend on several factors, including how many syllables are in the root word, which letters the root word ends with and which letter the suffix begins with. The guidelines below will help you decide when to double the final consonant of the root word. Note, however, that there are exceptions to every rule. When in doubt, check a reliable Canadian dictionary.

## Suffixes starting with a consonant

Do **not** double the final consonant of the root word if the suffix begins with a consonant:

- clock: clockwise
- commit: commitment
- correct: correctness
- delight: delightful
- direct: directly
- down: downward
- regard: regardless

## Suffixes starting with a vowel

The rules for doubling the final consonant of a word before a suffix that begins with a vowel differ according to the number of syllables in the root word.

### Words with one syllable

Double the final consonant before the suffix if all the of following conditions are met:

- the root word has only one syllable
- the root word ends in a single consonant preceded by a single vowel
- the root word doesn’t end in **w**, **x** or **y**
- the suffix is **-y** or begins with a vowel

Here are some examples:

- dip: dipped
- fat: fatty
- fit: fitted
- flit: flitting
- gel: gelled
- gum: gummy
- hot: hottest
- log: logged
- mad: madden
- rot: rotted
- scrub: scrubbing
- sit: sitting
- stop: stopping

**Note:** Although the **s** in **bus** can be doubled, the preference in Canada is **not** to double it:

- buses
- bused
- busing

### Words with two or more syllables

Double the final consonant if all of the following conditions are met:

- the root word has more than one syllable
- the root word ends in a single consonant preceded by a single vowel
- the root word doesn’t end in **w**, **x** or **y**
- the stress falls on the last syllable of the root word
- the suffix begins with a vowel

Here are some examples:

- commit: committal
- occur: occurrence
- regret: regretted
- transmit: transmitted

**Note:** When adding the suffix moves the stress away from the last syllable of the word, don’t double the final consonant of the root word:

- infer: inferring **but** inference
- prefer: preferred **but** preference
- refer: referral **but** reference

For words that end in **l**, double the **l** before the suffix if all of the following conditions are met:

- the root word has more than one syllable
- the root word ends in a single consonant preceded by a single vowel
- the suffix begins with a vowel

Here are some examples:

- cancel: cancelled
- compel: compelling
- funnel: funnelling
- marvel: marvellous
- pencil: pencilling
- propel: propeller
- rebel: rebellion
- repel: repelled
- towel: towelled
- travel: traveller

**Note:** Although the preference in Canada is to double the final **l** in the root word, some of the words above can also be spelled with a single **l**, as is often the case in American spelling. When in doubt, check a reliable Canadian dictionary.

## Additional information

- [The final consonant before a vowel: When to double it](/en/quiz/final-consonant-when-to-double-it-eng) (quiz)
- [Spelling: International variations](/en/writing-tips-plus/spelling-international-variations)
- [Spelling: Words ending in “c”](/en/writing-tips-plus/spelling-words-ending-in-c)
- [Spelling: Words ending in “-ise” and “-ize”](/en/writing-tips-plus/spelling-words-ending-in-ise-and-ize)

##  Avis de droit d’auteur pour l’outil Writing Tips Plus

© Sa Majesté le Roi du chef du Canada, représenté par le ou la ministre des Services publics et de l’Approvisionnement
Un outil créé et mis en ligne par le Bureau de la traduction, Services publics et Approvisionnement Canada

## Rechercher par thèmes connexes

Vous voulez en apprendre davantage sur un thème abordé dans cette page? Cliquez sur un lien ci-dessous pour voir toutes les pages du Portail linguistique du Canada portant sur le thème choisi. Les résultats de recherche s’afficheront dans le [Navigateur linguistique](/fr/navigateur-navigator).

- [Spelling](/fr/navigateur-navigator?search_api_fulltext=-&field_writing_tools=All&sort_by=views&f%5B1%5D=navigateur_navigator_english_theme%3A496#navigateur-navigator-resultats-results)
- [Canadian spelling](/fr/navigateur-navigator?search_api_fulltext=-&field_writing_tools=All&sort_by=views&f%5B0%5D=navigateur_navigator_english_theme%3A496&f%5B1%5D=navigateur_navigator_english_theme%3A497#navigateur-navigator-resultats-results)

## Liens connexes

- [Writing Tips Plus](/fr/writing-tips-plus/index-fra) (page d’accueil)
- [Outils d’aide à la rédaction](/fr/outils-tools/index-fra)
- [Navigateur linguistique](/fr/navigateur-navigator) (permet de trouver rapidement des conseils linguistiques)
- [TERMIUM Plus®](http://www.btb.termiumplus.gc.ca/tpv2alpha/alpha-fra.html?lang=fra)