Hello everybody!

When we have a vowel between two consonants letters (“consonant sandwich”) we must/should duplicate the last letter, am I right?

e.g. run >>> run"n"ing…!

So, what are the words that I can not apply the same rule? Is there a specific rule for them? e.g. Why I can not apply the same rule for the word “writing”?

Thanks a lot in advanced!

I think you must mean “croissonant”

douglang - 06 May 2008 11:45 AM

I think you must mean “croissonant”

Hey dougland….what are you trying exaclty to say? I’m sorry, but I couldn’t understand! What do you mean when you say “croissonant”?

Just the idea of a “consonant sandwich” makes me laugh.  Take a look at a croissant and you will see it in a new light.

Thanks for the backup MG - I have two tickets to “The Consonant Gardenner” if you would like to go. 

In this grand and decadent place, if you want to go dating you have to climb a tree !

MontaraGal is right about the general rule.  But there are exceptions both ways.

In a few cases the final ‘e’ is retained before -ing:
dye > dyeing
singe > singeing (to distinguish it from ‘singing’)

Also, the ‘consonant sandwich’ doubling rule does not usually apply where the last syllable is unaccented:
fidget > fidgeting
elicit > eliciting
summon > summoning
etc.

Some morphological rules go either way e.g. with consonant doubling or no:

1.  counselled, counseled; counselling, counseling; counsellor, councelor

2.  totalled, totaled; totalling, totaling

3.  labelled, labeled; labelling, labeling

etc.