Latin Spelling Rules

Latin spelling rule for when a prefix like ad- (to), in- (not), sub- (under), or con- (with) meets a root word starting with a consonant?

Consonant Doubling / Assimilation. The last letter of the prefix changes to match the first letter of the root, creating a double consonant.

If you hear a short \e\ sound, but the pronouncer gives an alternate pronunciation using a long \ē\ sound, how is it spelled?

Spell it with the Latin diphthongs AE or OE. The alternate long sound is the clue that it isn't a simple "e".

If a word ends in the \ē\ sound and the definition indicates a state, condition, quality, or practice, what is the spelling?

Spell the ending with -y.

If a word ends in the \ē\ sound and the definition shows it is a plural noun whose singular form ends in -a (feminine), what is the spelling?

Spell the ending with -ae.

If a word ends in the \ē\ sound (specifically part of an \ē-əm\ blend) and denotes a chemical element or a diminutive/tiny form, what is the spelling?

Spell the suffix as -ium.

When can a short \i\ sound (as in pin) be spelled with the letter Y?

ONLY if the word is originally Greek (or uses Greek roots). If the word is purely Latin, eliminate "Y" entirely; it must be I or E.

If a word starts with an \i\ sound, but the pronouncer gives an alternate pronunciation starting with an \ĕ\ or \ē\ sound, what is the spelling?

Spell the initial letter with an E.

If a word has the sound \ä\, the word is pure Latin, the word contains a Latin stem with A, and the neighboring sounds demand that A be used, then what letter should you spell it with?

Spell it with A.

\a\ is spelled with what letter?

Spell it with A.

\ā\ is spelled with what letter?

Spell it with A.

\ā\ is rarely spelled with what letter?

Spell it with E.

\ī\ is spelled with…

I, and sometimes Y is the word is originally Greek.

\ō\ is always spelled…

It is spelled with O.

\ȯ\ can be spelled with what?

AU or O.

The schwa(\ə\ )is most commonly…

Spelled with I.

Spell \ü\ with…

U; if it’s Greek derived, EU

Spell \u̇\ with…

U

Spell \yə\ with…

Spelled with U

Spell \yü\ with…

Spell it with U