> Other English exercises on the same topics: Alphabet | Find the missing letter | How words are built [Change theme]
	> Similar tests: - The alphabet in English - English alphabet - Vocabulary: making verbs - Vocabulary: words starting with self- - CH phonemes - Means, results : a synthesis... - CH phonemes - CH phonemes
	> Double-click on words you don't understand

Finals in -y and -ie

I) The difficulties of words ending with a Y or the sound [i]? 

a) When a special ending ( plural- third person singular or suffixes) must be added to a word ending with a Y preceded by a consonant, the Y must be changed into an I. 

- busy=>busier/ business // happy=> happier/ happiness// carry=> carried=> carriage// marry=> married/ marriage// pity=> pitiable/ pitiful

NB:  Nouns and verbs ending with a Y preceded by a consonant have their plural or third person singular (in the simple present ) in -IES. 

- lady=> ladies// (mais boy=> boys - Y preceded by a vowel)

- to marry=> marries/ married/ marriage// (but to stay=> he stays - Y preceded by a vowel)

 a pony=> 2 ponies                               

    a fairy=> 2 fairies

II) a Y does not change if placed after a vowel (see above) or when placed before - ing or - ish:

- To play=> player/ playing. // To stay=> he stays/ staying/ To marry=> marrying// To carry=> he carried=> carrying

- Baby=> babies=> babyish/ forty (40)=> fortyish (around forty)

Exceptions: say (said) - lay (laid) - pay ( paid) which are irregular forms.

III)  -IE is turned into -Y before -ING.  

- die=> dying// lie=> lying// tie=> tying. 

   V= vowel; C= consonant

You see! That was easy! Now, you can face the test! Go for it!  

Twitter Share
English exercise "Finals in -y and -ie" created by here4u with The test builder. [More lessons & exercises from here4u]
Click here to see the current stats of this English test

Please log in to save your progress.

1. 'I know that you think I am lazy, but you’ll soon realise that Jimmy is much lazier thanlaziier thanlazyer thanlazier asI don't know I am.'



2. 'You told us to try.I did and my friends triedtryiedtryedI don't know too. We’ve really done our best.'



3. 'Jenny, you’ve been lyingliinglieinglayingI don't know in the sun for too long. Put on a tee-shirt, or you’ll get sunburns.'



4. The woman was so scared that her face turned greyshgreiishgreishgreyishI don't know and then, she fainted.



5. 'Oh dear, I have butterflyesbutterflyiesbutterfliesI don't know in my stomach thinking about tomorrow's test.'



6. 'Don’t forget to leave your essaiesessaysessayiesI don't know on my desk on your way out of the classroom, please.'



7. 'When you are in that big city, beware of strange people trying to sell things in alleysalleiesalleyiesI don't know.'



8. 'When I arrived, one of the hens had just leislaidlyiesleysI don't know an egg... It was still warm!'



9. 'If I pick some raspberrysraspberryiesraspberriesI don't know, can I eat them with custard and whipped cream, Mum?' 'Oh dear, that would be too much sugar at a time!'



10. Even in his early thirties, Brian still had a boiyshboyshboyishI don't know attitude in front of life and responsibilities.