Is there an applicable rule to go by for doubling consonants when adding suffixes such as scanning from scan?

Answer 1

As a general rule, if the consonant is preceded by a short vowel sound, you double it, and if preceded by a long vowel sound, you do not (and may well end up removing a silent e). But this being English and all, for every rule there are plenty of exceptions.

Answer 2

The only rule I'm aware of has to do with the vowel that precedes it. For example, when adding the -ing suffix to the word HOP, you would also have to add the additional P, otherwise you would have HOPING, not hopping. The double consonant always modifies the long or short sound of the vowel that precedes it.

Answer 3

"To Double Not to Double – Suffixes
When a one-syllable word ends with a vowel and a single consonant (cut), double that final consonant before adding a suffix (cut + ing = cutting).

When a word with more than one syllable ends with a vowel and consonant (impel), and the accent is on the last syllable in that base word (imPEL), double the final consonant before adding the suffix (impel + ing = impelling).

However, if a word with more than one syllable does NOT put the accent on the last syllable in the base word (MARvel), DO NOT double the final consonant before adding the suffix (marvel + ous = marvelous)."

Answer 4

Hello Binary Code (if that's what your name refers to)

Yes, there's a rule for doubling consonants.

The Word + Suffix Rule is not used to join suffixes to words that end in one consonant preceded by one vowel.

Final Consonant Rule 1 and Final Consonant Rule 2 pertain to words such as ship and commit, which end in one consonant preceded by one vowel. Below, the letter c indicates consonants, and the v indicates a vowel:
 cvc
ship


Final Consonant Rule 1 explains how to join suffixes to one-syllable words that end in the cvc combination.

When a one-syllable word ends in the cvc combination, usually double the final consonant when adding a suffix that begins with a vowel but do not double it when adding a suffix that begins with a consonant.

Ship is a one-syllable word that ends in the cvc combination, so double the final consonant when adding a suffix that begins with a vowel:


*ship + -ing = shipping


However, do not double the final consonant when adding a suffix that begins with a consonant:


*ship + -ment = shipment


Final Consonant Rule 1 does not apply to words that end in two consonants preceded by one vowel (vcc) or to words that end in one consonant preceded by two vowels (vvc):
 vcc  vvc
warm neat


The rule does not apply to words such as warm and neat because they do not end in the cvc combination.

Final Consonant Rule 2

Final Consonant Rule 2 explains how to join suffixes to words of more than one syllable that end in the cvc combination.

When a word of more than one-syllable ends in the cvc combination and it is accented on the last syllable, usually double the final consonant when adding a suffix that begins with a vowel but do not double it when adding a suffix that begins with a consonant.

Commit is accented on the last syllable and ends in the cvc combination:
   cvc
commit


Therefore, double the final consonant when adding a suffix that begins with a vowel:


*commit + -ing = committing


However, do not double the final consonant when adding a suffix that begins with a consonant:


*commit + -ment = commitment


Final Consonant Rule 2 does not apply to words that end in two consonants preceded by one vowel (vcc) or to words that end in one consonant preceded by two vowels (vvc):
   vcc     vvc
intend contain


The rule does not apply to words such as intend and contain because they do not end in the cvc combination.


Hope you understood that.

Answer 5

double after short , drop e after long