In the same way, we can
never be in doubt as to the two _m_'s in _commotion, commencement,_ etc.
We have already noted the tendency of _y_ to become _i_ in the middle
of a word. The exceptional cases are chiefly derivatives from the
Greek, and a study of the Greek prefixes will often give us a hint in
regard to the spelling of words containing _y_. These prefixes,
given here in full for convenience, are:
a (an)---without, not
amphi---both, around
ana---up, back, through=
anti---against, opposite
apo (ap)---from
cata---down
dia---through
en (em)---in
epi (ep)---upon
hyper---over, excessive
hypo---under=
meta (met)---beyond, change
syn (sy, syl, sym)---with, together
In Greek words also we will find _ph_ with the sound of _f_.
We know that _symmetrical, hypophosphite, metaphysics, emphasis,_ etc.,
are Greek because of the key we find in the prefix, and we are thus
prepared for the _y_'s and _ph_'s. _F_ does not exist in the Greek
alphabet (except as ph) and so we shall never find it in words derived
from the Greek.
The English prefixes are not so often useful in determining peculiar
spelling, but for completeness we give them here:
a---at, in, on (ahead)
be---to make, by (benumb)
en (em)---in, on, to make (encircle, empower)
for---not, from (forbear)
fore---before (forewarn)
mis---wrong, wrongly (misstate)
out---beyond (outbreak)
over---above (overruling)
to---the, this (to-night)
un---not, opposite
act (unable, undeceive)
under---beneath (undermine)
with---against, from (withstand)
CHAPTER III.
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