I have been reading a few old novels (18th 19th Century) and have noticed something which I frequently have a problem with. I tend to have difficulty working out if certain words should have -ed or -t...ie spelled or spelt...it may have arisen from reading such novels when younger, but it does occur for more words (unspoilt, spoilt, dwelt etc) and I was wondering if you knew if there was a rule for it or if it is just another word/spelling shift?
I think the possible answer is that 'spelled' is used in the USA and 'spelt' is used in the 'UK'. Although if the novels you refer to were by american writers and they used 'spelt' then clearly my idea is wrong.
Another example of the use of both endings is 'learned' and 'learnt'
I don't know about the States but in England past tense verbs ending in 'ed' are known as regular verbs and verbs with a different past tense word ie 'write' 'wrote' as irregular verbs.
There are a few verbs that take both endings.
To quote an Anon writer "There are no exemptions in English just interesting variations.'
