listbeeEndings and word parts
-le words
Many two-syllable words end with a consonant plus le: table, little, apple. The syllable before it decides whether the consonant is doubled.
- Sound
- /ul/ at the end of a word
- Usually taught
- 2nd–3rd grade
- Words on this page
- 24 in 3 lists
-le words: word lists
Practice a list online (each word is read aloud), or open it in the worksheet maker to print a test, word search, or look-cover-write-check sheet.
-dle, -tle and -ple words
10 words- candle
- handle
- middle
- puddle
- little
- bottle
- turtle
- apple
- simple
- purple
-gle, -kle and -zle words
8 words- jungle
- giggle
- eagle
- ankle
- tickle
- sparkle
- puzzle
- sizzle
How the pattern works
The final syllable is a consonant plus le, and the e is silent: ta-ble, can-dle, pur-ple.
If the first syllable has a short vowel and no other consonant before the -le syllable, double the consonant to keep the vowel short: little, middle, bubble, puzzle.
If the vowel is long (table, eagle) or there is already a consonant in between (candle, jungle, purple), do not double.
Common mistakes
- Writing -el or -ul: “tabel,” “littul.”
- Forgetting to double: “litle,” “midle,” “bubel.”
- Doubling after a long vowel: “tabble.”
Practice ideas
- Draw a line between the syllables before spelling: lit | tle, ta | ble.
- Sort the words into “doubled” and “not doubled” and say why.
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