Spelling Patterns — Answer Key
Part A: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. The baby cries when she is hungry or tired.
Cry ends in a consonant plus y, so we change y to i and add -es to make cries.
2. He tried very hard to finish the race.
Try ends in a consonant plus y, so we change y to i and add -ed to make tried.
3. The bird flies high above the trees.
Fly ends in a consonant plus y, so we change y to i and add -es to make flies.
4. Dad dries the dishes with a clean towel.
Dry ends in a consonant plus y, so we change y to i and add -es to make dries.
5. The puppy cried at night when he is alone.
Cry ends in a consonant plus y, so we change y to i and add -ed to make cried.
6. She carried her backpack up the long hill.
Carry ends in a consonant plus y, so we change y to i and add -ed to make carried.
7. The detective spied a new clue in the book.
Spy ends in a consonant plus y, so we change y to i and add -ed to make spied.
8. My shirt dried quickly in the warm sunlight.
Dry ends in a consonant plus y, so we change y to i and add -ed to make dried.
9. The little girl tried to tie her own shoes.
Try ends in a consonant plus y, so we change y to i and add -ed to make tried.
Part B: Matching
Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.
1. Match each item to its correct answer.
cry
→ cries
cries
try
→ tried
tried
fly
→ flies
flies
dry
→ dries
dries
When a word ends in a consonant plus y, we change y to i before adding -es or -ed.