Only use full when full
Adding the suffix -ful
Which is the correct spelling for these words?
hopeful or hopefull?
beautiful or beautifull?
grateful or gratefull?
wonderful or wonderfull?
When we add -ful to the end of words it changes the meaning, like beautiful, wonderful, stressful, helpful.
Answers
hopeful
beautiful
grateful
wonderful
Can you see there's only one L in -ful at the end of these words?
-ful in these words is called a suffix which is a little word we put on the end of words to change the meaning. So there’s only one way to spell these words and that’s with a single ‘L’
But many people aren’t sure or don’t know this rule and use full with double L at the end of the word instead of a single L.
But we only use full when full when it’s alone:
Full up
Full on
It's full
Full marks
A full sandwich
A full train etc
But when we add –ful to the ends of words it’s a single L.
By adding -ful to words we can make adjectives like:
wonderful
useful
successful
dreadful
careful
helpful
frightful
delightful
forgetful
beautiful - y becomes i beauty - beautiful
plentiful - y becomes i plenty - plentiful
merciful - y becomes i mercy - merciful
fanciful - y becomes i fancy - fanciful
We can also add -ful to nouns like:
bucketful
mouthful
handful
cupful
spoonful
pocketful
bagful
headful
Adding -ly
When we add -ly to words ending in -ful then we have double letters
gratefully
faithfully
hopefully
This is one of the most straightforward and easiest of the spelling rules.
Remember only use full when full.
Do the spelling test below and check you've understood this rule. There's always a difference between knowing a rule and actually spelling it correctly. Go on grab a pen and paper and prove you can do it.
There are 10 sentences. I'll say them quickly at first so if you finish then check your spelling carefully letter by letter. Then I'll say them again slowly. If you want to pause the player for more time then please do.
Answers below.
For the Spelling Rules course on www.udemy.com/spelling-rules-course/
Answers
1. Your advice was very useful and helpful.
2. I'm eternally grateful for your support.
3. I had a mouthful of ulcers and it was so painful.
4. Please check your receipt carefully.
5. Yours faithfully (this is the closing to formal letters)
6. Please drive carefully.
7. I hope this is not stressful but enjoyable.
8. It's a beautiful day today.
9. Have a wonderful time in Spain.
10. The train was full so we had a dreadful journey.