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 when the suffix begins with i, retain the y:
- copy, copyist
- fly, flying
- deny, denying
- try, 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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