The rule I learned in elementary school - and I have no idea why I remember that but so stubbornly forgot everything else - is that the final consonant is doubled if a) the final syllable is emphasized AND b) the final vowel is short. Thus:
"caped", "moping", "controling"; emphasis is on the last (or only) syllable but it's a long vowel. The dictionary disagrees with me about the last one, but I stick with my rule. And by the way, isn't "controling" the British spelling? "canceled", "signaling", "traveled"; the last vowel is short but emphasis is on a previous syllable. (I make an exception for "kidnapped"; I can't bring myself to follow the rule and write "kidnaped".) "capped", "compelled", "subbed": Short vowel AND emphasized on the last syllable. --- Bob Bridges, robhbrid...@gmail.com, cell 336 382-7313 /* Integrity is not a search for the rewards of integrity. -from "The Turquoise Lament", by John D MacDonald */ -----Original Message----- From: IBM Mainframe Discussion List <IBM-MAIN@LISTSERV.UA.EDU> On Behalf Of Phil Smith III Sent: Wednesday, October 2, 2024 16:49 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtue_signalling (Hmm, with two "l"s in "signalling", at least in the title; two is typically British, one is American. But the article isn't even consistent, uses both. Now let's discuss that...) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@listserv.ua.edu with the message: INFO IBM-MAIN
