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Primary English · Year 3Chapter 2 · Prefixes and suffixes
Year 3 · Chapter 2

Prefixes and suffixes

By the end of this chapter you will be able to

  • Say what a prefix and a suffix are, and how each one changes the meaning of a word
  • Spell words with the prefixes un-, dis-, mis- and re-, and the negative prefixes in-, im-, il- and ir-
  • Spell words with sub-, inter-, super-, anti- and auto-
  • Spell words with the endings -ly, -ous, -ful, -ness, -less and -ment
  • Spell words with the endings -ation, -tion, -sion, -ssion, -cian, -sure and -ture
  • Add endings to words, and double the last letter when the rule says so
  • Spell 49 statutory words from interest to woman, such as knowledge, length and special

You should already know

  • Common prefixes and suffixes such as un- and -ful (Year 2)
  • Adding -ing, -ed and -er to words, and changing y to i (Year 2)

Where this leads

  • Word classes, including adjectives and adverbs (Chapter 3)
  • Proof-reading for spelling mistakes (Chapter 11)

National Curriculum for England, Key Stage 2 English, Year 3. Content: Read and understand new words by their root word, prefix and suffix, Add the prefixes un-, dis-, mis-, re-, in-, im-, il-, ir-, sub-, inter-, super-, anti- and auto-, Add the suffixes -ly, -ous, -ation, -tion, -sion, -ssion, -cian, -sure, -ture, -ful, -ness, -less and -ment, Add endings to words, including the doubling rule, such as forgetting and preferred, Build word families from a common root word, such as solve, solution and insoluble, Spell the second half of the statutory Year 3 and 4 word list, from interest to woman.

Exercise P  Do you remember?

1
FWrite the plural of baby, which means more than one baby.
2
FAdd ing to hop. Write the new word.
3
FWrite the opposite of tidy.
4
FWrite the root word in playing. The root word is the word before the ending.
5
FAdd er to quick, to make the word that means more quick.
2.1

Prefixes un-, dis-, mis- and re-

Year 3
Read and understand new words from a root word and a prefix, Spell words with the prefixes un-, dis-, mis- and re-
Video lesson: Prefixes un-, dis-, mis- and re-Coming soon
Story. Sam is making a poster for the school library. He writes one word wrongly, and Mia helps him fix it. “Do not be upset,” she says. “We can rewrite the line.”

A root word is a word on its own, such as kind or read. A prefix is a group of letters that we add to the start of a root word. A prefix changes the meaning of the word.

The prefix un- usually means not, as in unkind. It can also mean reverse, as in undo.

The prefix dis- means not or the opposite of, as in dislike. The prefix mis- means wrongly, as in misread. The prefix re- means again, as in rewrite.

PrefixWhat it meansExample
un-not, or reverseunkind, undo
dis-not, or the opposite ofdislike, disagree
mis-wronglymisread, mislead
re-againrewrite, reuse
Four prefixes and what each one means.
unkinddislikemisreadrewrite
The shaded letters are the prefix. The rest of the word is the root word.

Key ideas

  • A prefix is added to the start of a root word, and it changes the meaning.
  • Un-, dis- and mis- can be added to a root word that already means something.
  • Re- means again: rewrite means to write again.
  • Misspell has a double s, because the root word spell starts with s.
Worked example 2.1.1
Write the word that means: not kind; unfriendly to others.

Method. Match the meaning to the word, then check its spelling.

  1. Read the meaning. Think about what the clue describes.
    not kind; unfriendly to others
  2. Find the word that matches. Think of the one word with this meaning.
    unkind
  3. Check the spelling. Un- means not, so unkind means not kind.
    Tricky part: un
  4. Write the answer.
    unkind

Check. Read unkind and check each letter against the word. ✓

Watch out. Un- means not, so unkind means not kind.

Worked example 2.1.2
Write the missing word: Please   your story with a happy ending.

Method. Think what the sentence means, then choose the word that fits the gap and its spelling.

  1. Read the sentence with the gap. Think what the sentence means.
    Please ___ your story with a happy ending.
  2. Find the word that fits the meaning. to write something again, to make it better
    rewrite
  3. Put the word in the gap. Read the sentence again. It makes sense.
    Please rewrite your story with a happy ending.
  4. Write the answer.
    rewrite

Check. Read the whole sentence with rewrite in it. ✓

Watch out. Re- means again: rewrite means write again.

Worked example 2.1.3
Write the missing letters:  like

Method. Say the whole word, then fill the box with the tricky letters.

  1. Say the whole word. Read every letter in order.
    dislike
  2. Look at the empty box. The box stands for 3 letter(s) in a row.
    3 missing letter(s)
  3. Write the missing letters. Dis- means not, or the opposite: dislike is the opposite of like.
    dis

Check. Put dis back in the box and read dislike. ✓

Watch out. Dis- means not, or the opposite: dislike is the opposite of like.

Watch out

Watch out: mis- means wrongly. It does not mean missing. To misplace something is to put it in the wrong place, and then lose it.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask your child to read the root word first, then add the prefix. Ask: does the new word mean the opposite, the same again, or done wrongly? Write each word on a card.

Exercise 2A  Practice: un-, dis-, mis- and re-

1
FWrite the word that means each clue.
(a)Write the word that means: not kind; unfriendly to others.
(b)Write the word that means: to take back what was done, so that it is as it was before.
(c)Write the word that means: to not like something.
(d)Write the word that means: to read something wrongly.
2
FWrite the missing word in each sentence.
(a)Write the missing word: The puppy looked   after its bath.
(b)Write the missing word: Dad will   the shed so we can get the bikes.
(c)Write the missing word: Sam and Mia   about which film to watch.
(d)Write the missing word: The wrong sign would   anyone who followed it.
3
FWrite the missing letters.
(a)Write the missing letters:  honest
(b)Write the missing letters: mi pell
(c)Write the missing letters:  write
4
PSWrite each word correctly.
(a)Ali writes misplase. Write it correctly.
(b)Mia writes reuze. Write it correctly.
(c)Sam writes rebild. Write it correctly.
(d)Ben writes refil. Write it correctly.
5
RBen says that unhappy and dishonest both mean very happy. Is he right? Explain.
6
RWhich word means to write something again: rewrite, misread or undo?
7
PSWrite one sentence with replay, and one with refill. Spell both words correctly.
8
PSSort these words into two lists: unlock, dislike, undo, disagree. Put the words with un- in one list, and the words with dis- in the other.
9
FWrite the missing word: Let us   the best goal from the match.
10
RAli says that the prefix re- means back, so rebuild means to build backwards. Is he right? Explain.
2.2

Prefixes in-, im-, il- and ir-

Year 3
Read and spell words with the negative prefixes in-, im-, il- and ir-
Video lesson: Prefixes in-, im-, il- and ir-Coming soon
Story. The bus is late again. Ella is impatient, and she checks the timetable. The times on the board are irregular, so nobody can be sure when the next bus will come.

The prefix in- means not. Incorrect means not correct, and inactive means not active.

The spelling changes a little before some letters, so that the word is easy to say. Before p, in- becomes im-, as in impossible and impatient. Before l, it becomes il-, as in illegal. Before r, it becomes ir-, as in irregular and irrelevant.

PrefixUsed beforeExample
in-most lettersincorrect, inactive
im-pimpossible, impatient
il-lillegal
ir-rirregular, irrelevant
The negative prefix in- changes its spelling before some letters.

Key ideas

  • In- means not. Incorrect means not correct.
  • Before p, the prefix is im-: impossible, impatient.
  • Before l, the prefix is il-: illegal.
  • Before r, the prefix is ir-: irregular, irrelevant.
Worked example 2.2.1
Write the word that means: not right; wrong.

Method. Match the meaning to the word, then check its spelling.

  1. Read the meaning. Think about what the clue describes.
    not right; wrong
  2. Find the word that matches. Think of the one word with this meaning.
    incorrect
  3. Check the spelling. In- means not: incorrect means not correct.
    Tricky part: in
  4. Write the answer.
    incorrect

Check. Read incorrect and check each letter against the word. ✓

Watch out. In- means not: incorrect means not correct.

Worked example 2.2.2
Write the missing word: It is   to see the wind, but we can see the leaves move.

Method. Think what the sentence means, then choose the word that fits the gap and its spelling.

  1. Read the sentence with the gap. Think what the sentence means.
    It is ___ to see the wind, but we can see the leaves move.
  2. Find the word that fits the meaning. not able to happen or be done
    impossible
  3. Put the word in the gap. Read the sentence again. It makes sense.
    It is impossible to see the wind, but we can see the leaves move.
  4. Write the answer.
    impossible

Check. Read the whole sentence with impossible in it. ✓

Watch out. In- becomes im- before p, as in impossible.

Worked example 2.2.3
Write the missing letters:  legal

Method. Say the whole word, then fill the box with the tricky letters.

  1. Say the whole word. Read every letter in order.
    illegal
  2. Look at the empty box. The box stands for 2 letter(s) in a row.
    2 missing letter(s)
  3. Write the missing letters. In- becomes il- before l, as in illegal.
    il

Check. Put il back in the box and read illegal. ✓

Watch out. In- becomes il- before l, as in illegal.

Watch out

Watch out: do not write inpossible or inlegal. The n changes to m before p, and to l before l. Say the root word first, then check which letter comes next.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Say the root word, such as possible, then add the prefix. Ask your child which letter the root word starts with, and whether the n needs to change.

Exercise 2B  Practice: in-, im-, il- and ir-

1
FWrite the word that means each clue.
(a)Write the word that means: not right; wrong.
(b)Write the word that means: not moving or doing anything.
(c)Write the word that means: not willing to wait calmly.
(d)Write the word that means: not allowed by the law.
2
FWrite the missing word in each sentence.
(a)Write the missing word: The jigsaw was   because one piece was lost.
(b)Write the missing word: It is   to see the wind, but we can see the leaves move.
(c)Write the missing word: The bus times were  , so we waited a long time.
(d)Write the missing word: Mum found a bag that was   but still well made.
3
FWrite the missing letters.
(a)Write the missing letters:  patient
(b)Write the missing letters:  relevant
4
PSWrite each word correctly.
(a)Ali writes inlegal. Write it correctly.
(b)Mia writes inpossible. Write it correctly.
(c)Sam writes inregular. Write it correctly.
5
RAli says that inactive and impatient both use im-, because both are negative. Is he right? Explain.
6
RWhich word has the prefix ir-: illegal, irregular or inexpensive?
7
PSWrite one sentence with incomplete, and one with illegal. Check each spelling.
8
PSSort these words by their prefix: impossible, illegal, irregular, incorrect, irrelevant.
9
FWrite the missing word: The old volcano has been   for many years.
10
RBen says that inexpensive means very expensive. Is he right? Explain.
2.3

Prefixes sub-, inter-, super-, anti- and auto-

Year 3
Spell words with the prefixes sub-, inter-, super-, anti- and auto-, Form nouns with super-, anti- and auto-
Video lesson: Prefixes sub-, inter-, super-, anti- and auto-Coming soon
Story. Ben and his cousin visit the science museum. They watch a submarine on a screen, and a guide tells them about an international team. “Look at that automatic door,” says Ben.

The prefix sub- means under, as in submarine. The prefix inter- means between or among, as in interact. The prefix super- means above or beyond, as in superhero.

The prefix anti- means against or opposite, as in anticlockwise. The prefix auto- means self, as in automatic, which works by itself.

Some of these prefixes make nouns, such as superhero, supermarket and autograph.

PrefixWhat it meansExample
sub-undersubmarine, subtitle
inter-between or amonginteract, international
super-above or beyondsuperhero, supermarket
anti-against or oppositeanticlockwise, antiseptic
auto-selfautomatic, autograph
Five prefixes and what each one means.

Key ideas

  • Sub- means under: a submarine goes under the water.
  • Inter- means between: to interact is to act between people.
  • Super- means above or beyond: a superhero is above ordinary people.
  • Anti- means against or opposite; auto- means self.
Worked example 2.3.1
Write the word that means: a ship that can travel under the sea.

Method. Match the meaning to the word, then check its spelling.

  1. Read the meaning. Think about what the clue describes.
    a ship that can travel under the sea
  2. Find the word that matches. Think of the one word with this meaning.
    submarine
  3. Check the spelling. Sub- means under: a submarine goes under the water.
    Tricky part: sub
  4. Write the answer.
    submarine

Check. Read submarine and check each letter against the word. ✓

Watch out. Sub- means under: a submarine goes under the water.

Worked example 2.3.2
Write the missing word: We bought bread and milk at the  .

Method. Think what the sentence means, then choose the word that fits the gap and its spelling.

  1. Read the sentence with the gap. Think what the sentence means.
    We bought bread and milk at the ___.
  2. Find the word that fits the meaning. a large shop that sells food and other goods
    supermarket
  3. Put the word in the gap. Read the sentence again. It makes sense.
    We bought bread and milk at the supermarket.
  4. Write the answer.
    supermarket

Check. Read the whole sentence with supermarket in it. ✓

Watch out. Super- means above or beyond: a supermarket is a very large shop.

Worked example 2.3.3
Write the missing letters:  mobile

Method. Say the whole word, then fill the box with the tricky letters.

  1. Say the whole word. Read every letter in order.
    automobile
  2. Look at the empty box. The box stands for 4 letter(s) in a row.
    4 missing letter(s)
  3. Write the missing letters. Auto- means self: an automobile is a car that moves itself with an engine.
    auto

Check. Put auto back in the box and read automobile. ✓

Watch out. Auto- means self: an automobile is a car that moves itself with an engine.

Watch out

Watch out: anti- and auto- look alike, but they mean different things. Anticlockwise means against the way the clock turns; automatic means working by itself.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask your child to say what each prefix means, then use it in a new word, such as submarine. Point out the word parts: sub + marine, inter + act, super + market.

Exercise 2C  Practice: sub-, inter-, super-, anti- and auto-

1
FWrite the word that means each clue.
(a)Write the word that means: a ship that can travel under the sea.
(b)Write the word that means: to talk and work together with other people.
(c)Write the word that means: a character with special powers who helps people.
(d)Write the word that means: working by itself, without a person controlling it.
2
FWrite the missing word in each sentence.
(a)Write the missing word: We read the   because the film was in another language.
(b)Write the missing word: Please do not   while I am speaking.
(c)Write the missing word: We bought bread and milk at the  .
(d)Write the missing word: Ben asked the footballer for his   on his shirt.
3
FWrite the missing letters.
(a)Write the missing letters:  national
(b)Write the missing letters:  clockwise
(c)Write the missing letters:  mobile
4
PSWrite each word correctly.
(a)Ali writes submirge. Write it correctly.
(b)Mia writes intervew. Write it correctly.
(c)Sam writes superpowa. Write it correctly.
(d)Ben writes antiseptick. Write it correctly.
5
RAli says that the prefix super- means under, as in submarine. Is he right? Explain.
6
RWhich word has the prefix inter-: interview, subtitle or automatic?
7
PSWrite one sentence with automobile, and one with autograph. Check each spelling.
8
PSSort these words into three lists: subtitle, interview, superhero, submarine, interrupt, supermarket. Make a list for sub-, inter- and super-.
9
FWrite the missing word: Ali walked   round the track.
10
RMia says that anti- and auto- mean the same thing. Is she right? Explain.
2.4

Suffixes -ly and -ous

Year 3
Add the suffix -ly to make adverbs from adjectives, with the rules already learnt, Add the suffix -ous, including y changed to i, and the -ious ending
Video lesson: Suffixes -ly and -ousComing soon
Story. The children hurry to the park before the rain starts. Ali walks carefully over the wet bridge. Mia runs quickly to the swings, and she hopes that the dog is not dangerous.

A suffix is a group of letters that we add to the end of a root word. A suffix changes the word, and sometimes its job in the sentence.

The suffix -ly turns an adjective into an adverb. An adjective describes a thing, as in quick. An adverb tells us how something is done, as in quickly.

The suffix -ous means full of, as in dangerous, which is full of danger. The endings -ious, as in anxious and curious, follow the same pattern.

Root wordChangeNew word
happychange the y to i, add lyhappily
truedrop the e, add lytruly
dangerdrop the er, add ousdangerous
mysterychange the y to i, add ousmysterious
Three changes to the root word before -ly or -ous.

Key ideas

  • Add -ly to an adjective to make an adverb: quick becomes quickly.
  • Drop the e before -ly: true becomes truly; simple becomes simply.
  • Change the y to i before -ly or -ous: happy becomes happily; mystery becomes mysterious.
  • Marvellous has two l letters in UK English.
  • Humour changes our to or before ous: humorous.
  • Courage keeps its e before ous, so the g says the j sound: courageous.
Worked example 2.4.1
Write the word that means: in a way that shows you are glad.

Method. Match the meaning to the word, then check its spelling.

  1. Read the meaning. Think about what the clue describes.
    in a way that shows you are glad
  2. Find the word that matches. Think of the one word with this meaning.
    happily
  3. Check the spelling. Happy ends in y: change the y to i, then add ly.
    Tricky part: ily
  4. Write the answer.
    happily

Check. Read happily and check each letter against the word. ✓

Watch out. Happy ends in y: change the y to i, then add ly.

Worked example 2.4.2
Write the missing word: Running on the wet floor is  .

Method. Think what the sentence means, then choose the word that fits the gap and its spelling.

  1. Read the sentence with the gap. Think what the sentence means.
    Running on the wet floor is ___.
  2. Find the word that fits the meaning. likely to cause harm or injury
    dangerous
  3. Put the word in the gap. Read the sentence again. It makes sense.
    Running on the wet floor is dangerous.
  4. Write the answer.
    dangerous

Check. Read the whole sentence with dangerous in it. ✓

Watch out. Danger ends in er: drop the er, then add ous.

Worked example 2.4.3
Write the missing letters: nerv 

Method. Say the whole word, then fill the box with the tricky letters.

  1. Say the whole word. Read every letter in order.
    nervous
  2. Look at the empty box. The box stands for 3 letter(s) in a row.
    3 missing letter(s)
  3. Write the missing letters. Nerve ends in e: drop the e, then add ous.
    ous

Check. Put ous back in the box and read nervous. ✓

Watch out. Nerve ends in e: drop the e, then add ous.

Watch out

Watch out: happyly and dangerus are wrong. Happy changes its y to i before ly, and dangerous has an o before us.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Say the root word, then the new word, and ask: what did you change at the end? Make a card for each rule: drop the e, change the y, double the l.

Exercise 2D  Practice: -ly and -ous

1
FWrite the word that means each clue.
(a)Write the word that means: at a fast speed.
(b)Write the word that means: in a soft and careful way.
(c)Write the word that means: worried or afraid about something that may happen.
(d)Write the word that means: wanting to find out about things.
2
FWrite the missing word in each sentence.
(a)Write the missing word: You can   add water and stir.
(b)Write the missing word: The jar was   of sweets.
(c)Write the missing word: It went dark   when the clouds came in.
(d)Write the missing word: Please carry the cup  .
3
FWrite the missing letters.
(a)Write the missing letters: happ 
(b)Write the missing letters: danger 
(c)Write the missing letters: nerv 
4
PSWrite each word correctly.
(a)Ali writes enormus. Write it correctly.
(b)Mia writes mysterous. Write it correctly.
(c)Sam writes marvelous. Write it correctly.
(d)Ben writes jelous. Write it correctly.
(e)Ella writes couragous. Write it correctly.
(f)Ravi writes humourous. Write it correctly.
5
RAli says that happily is spelled happyly, because happy plus ly makes happyly. Is he right? Explain.
6
RWhich word ends in -ious: nervous, anxious or jealous?
7
PSWrite one sentence with curious, and one with dangerous. Check each spelling.
8
PSSort these words into two lists: quickly, truly, curious, nervous, dangerous. Put the -ly words in one list and the -ous or -ious words in the other.
9
FWrite the missing word: We had a   day at the beach.
10
RBen says that marvellous has one l, because it is marvel plus ous. Is he right? Explain.
2.5

Endings that sound like shun, zhuh and chuh

Year 3
Spell the endings -ation, -tion, -sion, -ssion and -cian, which sound like shun, Spell the endings -sure and -ture, which sound like zhuh and chuh
Video lesson: Endings that sound like shun, zhuh and chuhComing soon
Story. The school has an invitation for a museum visit. Ella reads it to the class. It gives information about the trip, and asks for permission from parents. Ella hopes for a good adventure.

Many long words end in a sound that we write as shun. The spelling depends on the root word.

The ending -ation is common: information, invitation. The ending -tion is used for words such as station and action. The ending -sion is used for vision and decision, and -ssion is used for permission and discussion. The ending -cian is used for people who do a job, such as musician.

The endings -sure and -ture have their own sounds. Treasure ends in -sure. Picture and creature end in -ture.

EndingExampleHow it is made
-ationinformationcreate becomes creation; invite becomes invitation
-tionstation, actionact becomes action
-sionvision, decisiondecide becomes decision
-ssionpermission, discussionpermit becomes permission
-cianmusician, magicianmusic becomes musician
-suretreasure, measurethe word ends in -sure
-turepicture, futurethe word ends in -ture
The sound-based endings, with an example and how each word is made.

Key ideas

  • Create ends in e, so drop the e and add ation: creation.
  • Permit becomes permission, with ss. Discuss keeps its ss: discussion.
  • Music ends in c, so add ian to make musician.
  • Treasure and measure end in -sure; picture and creature end in -ture.
Worked example 2.5.1
Write the word that means: facts and details about something.

Method. Match the meaning to the word, then check its spelling.

  1. Read the meaning. Think about what the clue describes.
    facts and details about something
  2. Find the word that matches. Think of the one word with this meaning.
    information
  3. Check the spelling. The -ation ending says the same sound as the end of station.
    Tricky part: ation
  4. Write the answer.
    information

Check. Read information and check each letter against the word. ✓

Watch out. The -ation ending says the same sound as the end of station.

Worked example 2.5.2
Write the missing word: Ali asked Mum for   to go to the park.

Method. Think what the sentence means, then choose the word that fits the gap and its spelling.

  1. Read the sentence with the gap. Think what the sentence means.
    Ali asked Mum for ___ to go to the park.
  2. Find the word that fits the meaning. being allowed to do something
    permission
  3. Put the word in the gap. Read the sentence again. It makes sense.
    Ali asked Mum for permission to go to the park.
  4. Write the answer.
    permission

Check. Read the whole sentence with permission in it. ✓

Watch out. Permit changes its t to ss, then ion: permission.

Worked example 2.5.3
Write the missing letters: musi 

Method. Say the whole word, then fill the box with the tricky letters.

  1. Say the whole word. Read every letter in order.
    musician
  2. Look at the empty box. The box stands for 4 letter(s) in a row.
    4 missing letter(s)
  3. Write the missing letters. Music ends in c: add ian to make musician.
    cian

Check. Put cian back in the box and read musician. ✓

Watch out. Music ends in c: add ian to make musician.

Watch out

Watch out: many of these words sound the same at the end, but are spelled differently. Think about the root word before you choose: decision comes from decide, and permission comes from permit.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask your child to say the root word first, such as invite, and to say what changes. Then ask which ending is used. Sort the words on paper into the endings.

Exercise 2E  Practice: -ation, -tion, -sion, -ssion, -cian, -sure and -ture

1
FWrite the word that means each clue.
(a)Write the word that means: facts and details about something.
(b)Write the word that means: a card or message asking someone to come to an event.
(c)Write the word that means: a place where trains stop.
(d)Write the word that means: the ability to see.
2
FWrite the missing word in each sentence.
(a)Write the missing word: We practise   in maths when we share sweets equally.
(b)Write the missing word: Ali asked Mum for   to go to the park.
(c)Write the missing word: Our class had a   about pets.
(d)Write the missing word: The   played the piano at the concert.
3
FWrite the missing letters.
(a)Write the missing letters: ac 
(b)Write the missing letters: magi 
(c)Write the missing letters: trea 
4
PSWrite each word correctly.
(a)Ali writes creatoin. Write it correctly.
(b)Mia writes decishun. Write it correctly.
(c)Sam writes plesure. Write it correctly.
(d)Ben writes pickture. Write it correctly.
5
RMia says that picture and treasure end with the same spelling. Is she right? Explain.
6
RWhich word ends in -sure: picture, measure or creature?
7
PSWrite one sentence with adventure, and one with future. Check each spelling.
8
PSSort these words by their ending: station, decision, discussion, magician. Write each word under its ending: -tion, -sion, -ssion or -cian.
9
FWrite the missing word: The leaflet gave us   about the museum.
10
RAli says that musician and magician both come from words that end in c. Is he right? Explain.
2.6

Adding endings, the doubling rule and word families

Year 3
Add the endings -ful, -ness, -less and -ment to root words, Double the last letter before an ending when the rule says so, Recognise word families built from a common root word, such as solve
Video lesson: Adding endings, the doubling rule and word familiesComing soon
Story. Mum is busy in the kitchen, and the children help. Ben is always forgetting the timer, but Sam is careful. They are beginning to bake a cake, and the room is full of excitement.

Some suffixes are added to many words. -ful means full of, as in helpful. -ness names a feeling or a state, as in kindness. -less means without, as in careless. -ment names an action or a result, as in payment.

When a short word has one vowel and one consonant at the end, and the stress is on the end, we double the last letter before an ending that starts with a vowel: forget becomes forgetting. If the stress is at the start, we do not double it: visit becomes visiting.

A word family is a group of words built from one root word. Solve is the root of solution, solver, dissolve and insoluble.

helpfulkindnesscarelesspayment
The shaded letters are the ending.

Key ideas

  • The ending -ful has one l, as in helpful.
  • Happy changes its y to i before -ness: happiness.
  • Forgetting doubles the t, because the stress is on the end of forget.
  • Solve, solution and insoluble are a word family.
Worked example 2.6.1
Write the word that means: ready to help others.

Method. Match the meaning to the word, then check its spelling.

  1. Read the meaning. Think about what the clue describes.
    ready to help others
  2. Find the word that matches. Think of the one word with this meaning.
    helpful
  3. Check the spelling. The -ful ending has one l, even though full has two.
    Tricky part: ful
  4. Write the answer.
    helpful

Check. Read helpful and check each letter against the word. ✓

Watch out. The -ful ending has one l, even though full has two.

Worked example 2.6.2
Write the missing word: Ali   the blue pencil to the red one.

Method. Think what the sentence means, then choose the word that fits the gap and its spelling.

  1. Read the sentence with the gap. Think what the sentence means.
    Ali ___ the blue pencil to the red one.
  2. Find the word that fits the meaning. liked one thing more than another
    preferred
  3. Put the word in the gap. Read the sentence again. It makes sense.
    Ali preferred the blue pencil to the red one.
  4. Write the answer.
    preferred

Check. Read the whole sentence with preferred in it. ✓

Watch out. Prefer is stressed on the end, so double the r before ed.

Worked example 2.6.3
Write the missing letters: sad 

Method. Say the whole word, then fill the box with the tricky letters.

  1. Say the whole word. Read every letter in order.
    sadness
  2. Look at the empty box. The box stands for 4 letter(s) in a row.
    4 missing letter(s)
  3. Write the missing letters. Sad plus ness has two s letters: sadness.
    ness

Check. Put ness back in the box and read sadness. ✓

Watch out. Sad plus ness has two s letters: sadness.

Watch out

Watch out: helpfull is wrong. The ending -ful has one l, even though full has two. Visiting, not visitting: the stress is on the start of visit.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask your child to say the word and find the stress, which part is said loudest. If the stress is on the end, double the last letter. If it is on the start, do not double it.

Exercise 2F  Practice: endings, doubling and word families

1
FWrite the word that means each clue.
(a)Write the word that means: ready to help others.
(b)Write the word that means: being kind and caring to others.
(c)Write the word that means: with no hope; not able to do well.
(d)Write the word that means: money given to pay for something.
2
FWrite the missing word in each sentence.
(a)Write the missing word: The   puppy chased the ball.
(b)Write the missing word: The children smiled with   at the party.
(c)Write the missing word: The children showed great   on the ride.
(d)Write the missing word: There was great   before the big race.
3
FWrite the missing letters.
(a)Write the missing letters: sad 
(b)Write the missing letters: care 
(c)Write the missing letters: beaut 
4
PSWrite each word correctly.
(a)Ali writes admited. Write it correctly.
(b)Mia writes limitting. Write it correctly.
(c)Sam writes prefered. Write it correctly.
(d)Ben writes visitting. Write it correctly.
5
RAli says that beginning and gardening both double the last letter before ing. Is he right? Explain.
6
RWhich word means the answer to a problem: solution, solver or dissolve?
7
PSWrite one sentence with insoluble, and one with dissolve. Check each spelling.
8
PSSort these words by their ending: helpful, sadness, careless, payment, kindness, hopeless, excitement, playful. Make four lists: -ful, -ness, -less and -ment.
9
FWrite the missing word: We are always   our reading books.
10
RMia says that solution, solver and dissolve all come from the same root word. Is she right? Explain.
2.7

The statutory word list, part 2: interest to woman

Year 3
Spell the statutory Year 3 and 4 words from interest to woman, Use the tricky part of each word to check its spelling
Video lesson: The statutory word list, part 2: interest to womanComing soon
Story. The library is open after school. Ali is interested in space, so he borrows a book. The librarian says it is a good choice, and that he should remember to bring it back on time.

This section has the second half of the statutory list for Years 3 and 4. It runs from interest to woman. Many of these words are often misspelt, so learn the tricky part of each one.

Some words have a tricky part, such as the silent k in knowledge, the augh in naughty, the double ss in possess and pressure, and the ough in thought and through. Other words are learned by saying them in parts, such as li-brar-y.

The plural of woman is women. The two words differ in one letter.

WordTricky partWhy
interestthe whole wordSay it in parts: in-ter-est. Learn the whole word.
interestingthe whole wordInterest plus ing keeps the t: interesting.
islandsThe s is written but not said, so say it as eye-land.
knowledgeknThe k is silent, as in know: knowledge.
lengthngthLong plus th makes length. The g is said, as in long.
librarythe whole wordSay it in parts: li-brar-y. Do not miss out the r.
materialthe whole wordSay it in parts: ma-te-ri-al.
medicinethe whole wordThe c says the s sound, as in nice. Say it in parts: med-i-cine.
mentiontionThe -tion ending says the shun sound, as in the end of nation.
minutethe whole wordFor a time of sixty seconds, say it as min-it.
naturaluralSay it in parts: nat-u-ral.
naughtyaughThe augh says the or sound, as in corn.
The first 12 words of this section. Every word is practised in the exercise.

Key ideas

  • Knowledge has a silent k, as in know.
  • Possess, possession, possible and pressure all have a double s, and suppose has a double p.
  • Thought and through both have ough, but say it in different ways.
  • Interest, library and separate are learned by saying them in parts.
Worked example 2.7.1
Write the word that means: a feeling that you want to know more about something.

Method. Match the meaning to the word, then check its spelling.

  1. Read the meaning. Think about what the clue describes.
    a feeling that you want to know more about something
  2. Find the word that matches. Think of the one word with this meaning.
    interest
  3. Check the spelling. Say it in parts: in-ter-est. Learn the whole word.
    Learn the whole word
  4. Write the answer.
    interest

Check. Read interest and check each letter against the word. ✓

Watch out. Say it in parts: in-ter-est. Learn the whole word.

Worked example 2.7.2
Write the missing word: Please measure the   of the rope.

Method. Think what the sentence means, then choose the word that fits the gap and its spelling.

  1. Read the sentence with the gap. Think what the sentence means.
    Please measure the ___ of the rope.
  2. Find the word that fits the meaning. how long something is
    length
  3. Put the word in the gap. Read the sentence again. It makes sense.
    Please measure the length of the rope.
  4. Write the answer.
    length

Check. Read the whole sentence with length in it. ✓

Watch out. Long plus th makes length. The g is said, as in long.

Worked example 2.7.3
Write the missing letters: n ty

Method. Say the whole word, then fill the box with the tricky letters.

  1. Say the whole word. Read every letter in order.
    naughty
  2. Look at the empty box. The box stands for 4 letter(s) in a row.
    4 missing letter(s)
  3. Write the missing letters. The augh says the or sound, as in corn.
    augh

Check. Put augh back in the box and read naughty. ✓

Watch out. The augh says the or sound, as in corn.

Watch out

Watch out: occasionally has a double c. The word separate has an a in the middle: sep-a-rate. The -sure ending, as in treasure, is an ending taught in section 2.5, not a list word here.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Write the words on cards, and find the tricky part of each one together. Say the word in parts, cover the card, write it, and check. Test the cards again on another day.

Exercise 2G  Practice: the statutory word list, part 2

1
FWrite the word that means each clue.
(a)Write the word that means: a feeling that you want to know more about something.
(b)Write the word that means: holding your attention; not boring.
(c)Write the word that means: a piece of land with water all around it.
(d)Write the word that means: the facts that you know about something.
(e)Write the word that means: how long something is.
(f)Write the word that means: a building where you can borrow books.
2
FWrite the missing word in each sentence.
(a)Write the missing word: The cloth is a soft   for a costume.
(b)Write the missing word: The doctor gave me some   for my cough.
(c)Write the missing word: Please do not   the surprise to Dad.
(d)Write the missing word: Wait one   while I find my bag.
(e)Write the missing word: Trees and rocks are   things.
3
FWrite the missing word in each sentence.
(a)Write the missing word: The   puppy chewed the slipper.
(b)Write the missing word: Did you   the new sign on the gate?
(c)Write the missing word: Our class has a special   for the party.
(d)Write the missing word: We   go to the cinema on Saturdays.
(e)Write the missing word: We   play in the park after school.
4
PSWrite each word correctly.
(a)Ali writes oposite. Write it correctly.
(b)Mia writes ordinairy. Write it correctly.
(c)Sam writes particuler. Write it correctly.
(d)Ben writes peculier. Write it correctly.
5
FWrite the missing word in each sentence.
(a)Write the missing word:   we will go to the beach on Sunday.
(b)Write the missing word: Football is a   game in many countries.
(c)Write the missing word: Please sit in your   at the table.
(d)Write the missing word: Few people   a real castle.
(e)Write the missing word: Ali showed me his favourite  .
6
FWrite the missing word in each sentence.
(a)Write the missing word: Is it   to finish the puzzle today?
(b)Write the missing word: We had roast   for dinner.
(c)Write the missing word: The air   in the tyre was low.
(d)Write the missing word: It will   rain later.
(e)Write the missing word: Ella made a   to clean her room.
7
FWrite the missing word in each sentence.
(a)Write the missing word: The   of the lamp is to give light.
(b)Write the missing word: Ali ate one   of the cake.
(c)Write the missing word: I have a   about the story.
(d)Write the missing word: We read a   book about space.
(e)Write the missing word: Ali takes a   bus to school.
8
FWrite the missing word in each sentence.
(a)Write the missing word: The queen's   lasted many years.
(b)Write the missing word: Please   to bring your lunch.
(c)Write the missing word: Each   must start with a capital letter.
(d)Write the missing word: Put the two sets of crayons in   boxes.
(e)Write the missing word: Today is a   day for our family.
9
FWrite the missing word in each sentence.
(a)Write the missing word: The fog made the street look  .
(b)Write the missing word: Lifting the box needed a lot of  .
(c)Write the missing word: I   it will rain later, because the sky is grey.
(d)Write the missing word: We planned a   party for Mum.
10
FWrite the missing letters, or the missing word.
(a)Write the missing letters: th t
(b)Write the missing letters: thr 
(c)Write the missing letters: var 
(d)Write the missing letters: w t
(e)Write the missing word: The   at the desk helped us.
11
RBen says that woman and women are spelled differently only in one letter. Is he right? Explain.

Chapter summary

SkillMethod
un-, dis-, mis-, re-unkind, unhappy, undo, unlock; dislike, disagree, dishonest, disobey; misread, mislead, misspell, misplace; rewrite, reuse, rebuild, refill, replay
in-, im-, il-, ir-incorrect, inactive, incomplete, inexpensive (in-); impossible, impatient (im- before p); illegal (il- before l); irregular, irrelevant (ir- before r)
sub-, inter-, super-, anti-, auto-submarine, submerge, subtitle; interact, interrupt, international, interview; superhero, supermarket, superpower; antiseptic, anticlockwise; automatic, autograph, automobile
-ly and -oushappily, quickly, truly, gently, simply, fully, suddenly, carefully; dangerous, nervous, enormous, mysterious, marvellous, jealous, anxious, curious
-ation, -tion, -sion, -ssion, -cianinformation, creation, invitation; station, action, question; vision, division, decision; permission, discussion; musician, magician
-sure and -turetreasure, pleasure, measure; picture, creature, adventure, future
-ful, -ness, -less, -menthelpful, playful, beautiful; kindness, happiness, sadness; careless, hopeless; enjoyment, payment, excitement
Adding endings (the doubling rule)forgetting, preferred, beginning, admitted (double the last letter); gardening, limiting, visiting, offering (no double)
Word familiessolve, solution, solver, dissolve, insoluble
Statutory word list, part 2 (interest to woman)interest, interesting, island, knowledge, length, library, material, medicine, mention, minute, natural, naughty, notice, occasion, occasionally, often, opposite, ordinary, particular, peculiar, perhaps, popular, position, possess, possession, possible, potatoes, pressure, probably, promise, purpose, quarter, question, recent, regular, reign, remember, sentence, separate, special, strange, strength, suppose, surprise, thought, through, various, weight, woman, women

Can you…?

  • I can say what a prefix and a suffix are, and how each one changes the meaning of a word
  • I can spell words with un-, dis-, mis- and re-, and with in-, im-, il- and ir-
  • I can spell words with sub-, inter-, super-, anti- and auto-
  • I can spell words with the endings -ly, -ous, -ful, -ness, -less and -ment
  • I can spell words with -ation, -tion, -sion, -ssion, -cian, -sure and -ture
  • I can double the last letter before an ending when the rule says so
  • I can build a word family from a root word
  • I can spell the second half of the statutory word list, from interest to woman

Key terms

prefix
a group of letters added to the start of a root word, which changes its meaning, such as un- in unkind
suffix
a group of letters added to the end of a root word, such as -ly in quickly
root word
a word on its own, to which a prefix or suffix can be added, such as kind in unkind
adjective
a word that describes a thing, such as quick
adverb
a word that tells how something is done, such as quickly
word family
a group of words that are built from the same root word, such as solve and solution
stress
the part of a word that is said loudest, such as the end of forget
statutory word list
a list of words that pupils should be able to spell correctly by the end of Year 4

Exercise 2Z  Check-up

1
Write the word that means: not taking care, so that mistakes happen.
2
Write the missing word: It is   to see the wind, but we can see the leaves move.
3
Write the missing letters: inform 
4
Ali writes musishun. Write it correctly.
5
Ali says that automatic means working with a person. Is he right? Explain.
6
Write the missing word: A   light glowed in the woods.
7
Write the word that means: from one side to the other.
8
Mia writes begining. Write it correctly.
9
Write the root word of each of these: unhappy, rewrite, misread, dislike.
10
Which word ends in -ssion: decision, permission or station? Explain why.

Total 20 marks. Allow about 20 minutes.

Exercise 2X  Practice test questions

1
FWrite the missing word: Mum put a little   on my graze.[1 mark]
2
FWrite the missing letters: crea [1 mark]
3
PSAli writes forgeting. Write it correctly.[1 mark]
4
FWrite the word that means: a strong feeling of being eager and happy.[2 marks]
5
FWrite the missing word: The   of the lamp is to give light.[2 marks]
6
RAli says that inexpensive and impatient both have a prefix that means not. Is he right? Explain.[2 marks]
7
PSWrite one sentence with automobile. Spell the word correctly.[2 marks]
8
PSWrite one sentence with subtitle, and one with occasionally. Spell both words correctly.[3 marks]
9
RAli says that all words ending in -ful have two l letters. Is he right? Give two examples from this chapter to explain.[3 marks]
10
RExplain why impossible has im-, but incorrect has in-.[3 marks]
← Chapter 1: Spelling patternsChapter 3: Word classes →

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