Change Y to I

• 2nd grade
• 3rd grade
• 4th grade
• CCSS L.2.2d
• CCSS L.3.2e
• CCSS L.3.2f

When a word ends in a consonant + y, change the y to i before adding most endings: baby → babies, cry → cried, happy → happier. But keep the y before -ing (crying) and after a vowel (played, boys).

The y to i rule

Look at the letter before the y. If it's a consonant (baby, cry, happy, carry), change the y to i and add the ending: babies, cried, happier, carried. For plurals, add -es: baby → babies, party → parties.

There are two big exceptions. Keep the y before -ing, because English avoids two i's in a row: crying, carrying. And keep the y when there's a vowel before it: play → played, boy → boys, key → keys.

This rule appears in 3rd grade spelling standards for adding suffixes (L.3.2e). It also explains plurals like cities and stories, covered in plural nouns.

Change it or keep it?

Look at the letter before the y, then at the ending.

Names keep their y: the Kelly family are the Kellys.

Change y to i in sentences

The changed spelling is highlighted.

1. The babies are asleep.
2. She cried at the movie.
3. He is crying.
4. This is the happiest day.
5. We visited three cities.
6. I carried the bags.
7. The boys played soccer.
8. I lost my keys.
9. My dog is funnier than yours.
10. We read two stories.

Examples 3, 7 and 8 keep the y: crying (before -ing), played and keys (vowel before y).

How to teach change y to i

Five short steps, about 10 minutes each.

1. Look before the y. Circle the letter before y. Consonant or vowel?
2. Consonant? Change it. baby → babi + es → babies.
3. -ing? Keep y. cry → crying: no double i.
4. Vowel? Keep y. play → played, toy → toys.
5. Sort words. Change or keep: cry, play, happy, key, carry, enjoy.

Common mistakes and how to fix them

Practice: change y to i quiz

10 questions. Your child can tap the speaker to hear a question read aloud. The first try on each question counts toward the score.

1. 1.Which spelling is right?

   🔈
   babies babys babyes
   Show answer

   babies.

2. 2.Which spelling is right?

   🔈
   cried cryed cride
   Show answer

   cried.

3. 3.Which spelling is right?

   🔈
   crying criing cring
   Show answer

   crying.

4. 4.Which spelling is right?

   🔈
   played plaied playd
   Show answer

   played.

5. 5.Add -er to happy.

   🔈
   happier happyer
   Show answer

   happier.

6. 6.Tap the word where y changed to i.

   🔈

   We read two stories.

   Show answer

   stories (from story).

7. 7.Which spelling is right?

   🔈
   keys keies keyes
   Show answer

   keys.

8. 8.When do you keep the y?

   🔈
   before -ing or after a vowel after a consonant
   Show answer

   Before -ing, or after a vowel.

9. 9.Which spelling is right?

   🔈
   carried carryed caried
   Show answer

   carried.

10. 10.Which spelling is right?

    🔈
    cities citys cityes
    Show answer

    cities.

Change Y to I worksheet (free PDF)

Change Y to I Worksheet, 2nd–4th grade

Add endings to y words, sort change and keep words, fix spelling mistakes and write a sentence. Prints on US Letter paper, with an answer key.

Download the PDF

Try it at home

• Look before the y: consonant or vowel?
• Plurals hunt: puppies, berries, cities, keys, toys.
• Feelings: happy, happier, happiest.
• The -ing exception: cry, cried, crying.
• Proofread: check plurals in your child's writing.

What comes next

Next: i before e. Earlier: drop the e. Related grammar: plural nouns. All rules: spelling rules for kids.

Last reviewed: November 11, 2026

Questions parents ask