Spelling rules in root words - double consonants, no suffix

[salvador.dal1950]

Hello, I'm having a hard time with the spelling of double consonants in root words.

I can tell, for example, when to add a double consonant when adding a suffix, however in root words like "appreciate", "permission", "struggle", "business", "support", etc, I always get them wrong.

Any help?

Thank you

 

[SoothingDave]

What suffix are you trying to add to "appreciate"?

 

[salvador.dal1950]

That's what I mean. I don't have trouble noticing when to double a consonant when adding a suffix. My problem is in root words, when I don't have to add a suffix.

Maybe I'm overcomplicating this. I want to know why I have to write "appreciate" instead of "apreciate", "struggle" instead of "strugle", etc.

Are there any rules regarding this topic?

 

[Raymott]

That's what I mean. I don't have trouble noticing when to double a consonant when adding a suffix. My problem is in root words, when I don't have to add a suffix.

Maybe I'm overcomplicating this. I want to know why I have to write "appreciate" instead of "apreciate", "struggle" instead of "strugle", etc.

Are there any rules regarding this topic?

In many cases, it's historical. That's just the way the word is spelt in English, and that's why you have to spell it that way. But on many occasions, the doubling changes the sound of the preceding vowels. 'Supper' and 'super' mean different things and the 'u' is pronounced differently.
Also different are: hatter/hater, miller/miler, winner/winer ...
There are probably thousands; you might be able to think of some yourself.

 

[SoothingDave]

If it makes you feel any better, natives do use spellcheckers to guide us whether "committee" or "millennium," etc. have double letters. "Commandment" does. "Amendment" doesn't.

 

[5jj]

I have deleted your post for the moment, salvador.dal. We do advise members not to open attachments. We'll get back to you on this. 5jj

 

[Tdol]

It's an attachment with macros- that will trigger security alerts in most programs. Few people will download this because they will start getting messages if they do.