  In our last lesson we had examples of words in which the s had the soft sound, and also of words in which the s had the sound of z. In some English words, it is difficult to determine which sound to use. There are a number of words in English beginning with dis. In a few of the words, the s has the sound of z, and in other words it has the sound of s. There are only a few words which are pronounced with the diz sound. Discern, dismal and dissolve are always pronounced with the diz sound. Disease and disaster are pronounced both ways. Some dictionaries give the diz sound and some give the dis sound. The spelling lesson for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday contains a number of words beginning with dis. Be sure of the pronunciation. Run through the words in the dictionary beginning with the dis sound and mark those in which the dis has the sound of diz. We have also a number of words in the English language which end in ise or ize, and we are often confused to know which ending to use. There is a rule, which has very few exceptions, which covers the use of ise and ize. Words should be spelled with the ize ending when the ize can be cut off, and the word that is left can be used alone. For example; author, authorize. In this word you can cut off the ize and the word author can be used alone. But in the word exercise, if you cut off the ise, the remaining portion cannot be used alone. Recognize and criticise are exceptions to this rule. When used as a suffix added to a noun or adjective to form a verb, ize is the proper ending; as theory, theorize, civil, civilize, etc. Final e or y is dropped before ize, as in the words memorize, sterilize, etc. The spelling lesson for Thursday, Friday and Saturday contains a number of common words ending with ize or ise. Study carefully this list and add as many words to it as you can. Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
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