Chapter 12-2: Spelling final "y" before a suffix
When a word ends in "y" preceded by a consonant, you should usually change the "y" to "i" before adding the suffix:
curly becomes curlier
party becomes parties
thirty becomes thirties, thirtieth
However, if the suffix already begins with "i", keep the "y" (except before the suffix "-ize"):
thirty becomes thirtyish
fry becomes frying
agony becomes agonize
memory becomes memorize
When the ending "y" is preceded by a vowel ("a" "e" "i" "o" or "u"), "y" does not change to "i":
journey becomes journeying
trolley becomes trolleys