If we were to analyze the sound represented by some syllables of words sathere/ saduck/caherer / assadored, the conclusion we would reach is that all, in terms of sound, are identical. However, as we know, it is not because they are constituted of this characteristic that they are spelled in the same way. And surely you know why, don't you?
Of course! For each case there is a specific rule. Remember the letter “Z”? With “s” and “ss” it is no different. Have you ever been surrounded by doubts when using them? In the case of an affirmative answer, don't worry, we will become true geniuses in the matter, since that's the only way it will never happen again. So let's see:
When we use the "S":
* In the suffixes – oso and –osa, when these form adjectives.
appetitebone
bondbone
babyow
pompbone...
Note that we must always pay attention to:
When we talk about suffixes, we soon need to know that they are part of the endings of some words. As, for example, the word good: we have the stem “bond” – representing the part that does not change, and we also have the suffix “-oso” and “-osa”, which represent these endings.
* In the suffixes -esa and -isa, when they form feminine words.
duchess
gurney
poetess
prophetess...
* After diphthongs.
çHeysa (meeting a vowel + a semivowel)
thereorsa (meeting a vowel + a semivowel)
* In the conjugation of the verbs to put, want and use.
he put
He wanted
He uses
* In words ending in ASE, ESE, ISE, OSE.
base
phrase
thesis
crisis
lactose...
* In words derived from verbs ending in “ERTER” or “ERTIR”.
convert – convert
invert – invert
fun - fun...
And the “SS”? Let's know now when to use it:
* In words derived from verbs ending in “cede”.
grant - grant
exceed - excess, excessive
proceed - process...
* In nouns related to verbs with the stem “-prim”.
withprimego – compression
imprimego - print
recousinr - repression...
Note that the underlined part of the words represents the stem.
* In nouns related to verbs that contain the stem “-gred”.
assault - assault
regress - regression
* In nouns that relate to verbs consisting of the ending “-tir”:
discuss - discussion
allow - permission
* In words related to verbs that consist of the stem “-met”.
commit - commitment
intrude - intrusion
promise - promise
send - shipment...
By Vânia Duarte
Graduated in Letters
Kids School Team
