I wonder if there is any rule for doubling the p at the end of a stem. For example:
stop — stopped
but
help — helped
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1The easiest rule to remember is: when a word ends with a consonant, preceded by a single vowel, then that consonant is doubled in the past simple tense. But in American English if a word ends with a single "l" it is left alone. BrEng travelled AmEng traveled– Mari-Lou ACommented Dec 22, 2013 at 9:48
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@Mari-LouA thank you for short description, it makes sense– Maxim ShoustinCommented Dec 22, 2013 at 9:51
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Perhaps you would like to visit ELL English Language Learners our sister site?– Mari-Lou ACommented Dec 22, 2013 at 9:53
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@Mari-Lou: when you answered, you should have said there were numerous exceptions. For another example, compelled. There is a more complete rule which says that for multi-syllable words in American English, you double the final letter only if the last syllable ends with a consonant, contains a single-letter short vowel, and is accented. But again, it has exceptions.– Peter ShorCommented Dec 22, 2013 at 11:32
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So for OP's 'What is the rule' read 'Is there anything we could even term a rule of thumb . . .'.– Edwin AshworthCommented Dec 22, 2013 at 12:09
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