Spelling final "y" before a suffix
When a word ends in "y" preceded by a consonant, you should usually change the "y" to "i" before adding the suffix:
- curly becomes curlier
- party becomes parties
- thirty becomes thirties, thirtieth
However, if the suffix already begins with "i", keep the "y" (except before the suffix "-ize"):
- thirty becomes thirtyish
- fry becomes frying
- agony becomes agonize
- memory becomes memorize
When the ending "y" is preceded by a vowel ("a" "e" "i" "o" or "u"), "y" does not change to "i":
- journey becomes journeying
- trolley becomes trolleys
Written by Dorothy Turner