3.15 Words ending in y

In words ending in y preceded by a consonant, change the y to i before a suffix, unless the suffix itself begins with i:

• heavy
• heaviest
• lively
• livelihood
• salary
• salaried
• necessary
• necessarily

but

• copyist
• flying
• denying
• trying

Note the distinction between dryer (something or someone that dries) and drier (the comparative of dry).

Words ending in y preceded by a vowel generally retain the y before a suffix:

• annoy
  • annoyance
  • annoying

• pay
  • payable
  • paying

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