Websink Prep UKKS2 EnglishYear 4 chaptersEnglish textbooksReceptionYear 1Year 2Year 3Year 4Year 5Year 6Year 7Year 8Year 9Browse allPast papersFind a tutorBecome a tutor
Primary English · Year 4Chapter 3 · Prefixes, suffixes and word families
Year 4 · Chapter 3

Prefixes, suffixes and word families

By the end of this chapter you will be able to

  • Say what a root word, a prefix, a suffix and a word family are, and use them to work out a new word
  • Spell words with the negative and reversing prefixes dis-, mis-, re- and in-, and change in- to im-, il- or ir- where needed
  • Spell words with sub-, inter-, super-, anti- and auto-, and name the noun that some of them make
  • Spell words with -ation, -ly and -ous, and make the right change to the root word first
  • Spell words with -sure, -ture, -tion, -sion, -ssion and -cian
  • Double the last letter before a vowel suffix only when the stress is on the end of the root word

You should already know

  • Prefixes and suffixes such as un-, re- and -ful, and the endings -less and -ness (Year 3, Chapter 2)
  • The statutory word list and the dictionary (Chapter 2 of this book)

Where this leads

  • Plurals and possession (Chapter 4)
  • Fronted adverbials, which often use -ly adverbs (Chapter 6)

National Curriculum for England, Key Stage 2 English, Year 4. Content: Read new words by their root word, prefix and suffix, and use the terms prefix, suffix, word family and root word, Add the prefixes dis-, mis-, re- and in- (with im-, il- and ir-), and say what each one does to the meaning, Add the prefixes sub-, inter-, super-, anti- and auto-, and spell nouns formed with super-, anti- and auto-, Add the suffixes -ation, -ly and -ous to root words, with the spelling changes that each one needs, Spell the endings -sure, -ture, -tion, -sion, -ssion and -cian, Add vowel suffixes to words of more than one syllable, using the doubling rule where it applies, and recognise word families.

Exercise P  Do you remember?

1
FWrite the root word in unkind.
2
FWrite the opposite of happy, using the prefix un-.
3
FAdd ing to run. Write the new word.
4
FWrite the plural of box, which means more than one box.
5
FWhich word is the adverb: quiet or quietly?
3.1

Root words, prefixes, suffixes and word families

Year 4
Read new words by their root word, prefix and suffix, Use the terms prefix, suffix, word family and root word
Video lesson: Root words, prefixes, suffixes and word familiesComing soon
Story. Ravi finds the word unhelpful in a story. He does not know what it means, so he takes the word apart. He sees un- at the start and help in the middle, and he works out the meaning.

Many words are built from parts. The root word is the word on its own, such as help. A prefix is added to the start of a root word. A suffix is added to the end.

A word family is a group of words that share one root word, such as help, helpful and helper.

When you meet a new word, take off the prefix and the suffix. What is left is the root word. The parts tell you a lot about the meaning.

TermWhat it meansExample
root worda word on its own, which can have parts addedhelp
prefixletters added to the start of a root wordun- in unhelpful
suffixletters added to the end of a root word-ful in unhelpful; -ly in helpfully
word familywords built from the same root wordhelp, helpful, helper, unhelpful
The four key terms in this section.
rewriterereadimpoliteunhelpful
The shaded letters are the prefix. The rest of the word is the root word, with any suffix at the end.

Key ideas

  • A root word is a word on its own, such as help.
  • A prefix is added to the start of a root word, and it changes the meaning: unhelpful means not helpful.
  • A suffix is added to the end of a root word: helpfully has the suffixes -ful and -ly.
  • A word family is a group of words built from one root word: help, helpful, helper, unhelpful.
Worked example 3.1.1
Write the root word, the prefix and the suffix of unhelpful. Write none if there is no prefix or suffix.

Method. Take off the prefix and the suffix. What is left is the root word.

  1. Look at the start of the word. A prefix is added before the root word.
    un-
  2. Look at the end of the word. A suffix is added after the root word.
    -ful
  3. Find the root word. The root word is what is left when the prefix and suffix are taken away.
    help
  4. Write the answer.
    root help; prefix un-; suffix -ful

Check. Put the parts back together to make unhelpful. ✓

Watch out. The root word is a word on its own, or a part that can stand alone.

Worked example 3.1.2
Write the missing word: Please   the story before the test on Friday.

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 ___ the story before the test on Friday.
  2. Find the word that fits the meaning. to read something again
    reread
  3. Put the word in the gap. Read the sentence again. It makes sense.
    Please reread the story before the test on Friday.
  4. Write the answer.
    reread

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

Watch out. Re- means again. Read is the root word.

Worked example 3.1.3
Write the missing letters:  polite

Method. Read the whole word, then fill the box with the affix letters.

  1. Say the whole word, and look at each part. Read every letter in order.
    impolite
  2. Look at the empty box. The box stands for the letters in a row, 2 in all.
    2 missing letters
  3. Write the missing letters. Im- is the form of in- before p. Polite starts with p, so in- becomes im-.
    im

Check. Put im back in the box and read impolite. ✓

Watch out. Im- is the form of in- before p. Polite starts with p, so in- becomes im-.

Watch out

Watch out: a root word is not always the first part of a word. In helpfully, the root word help comes first, then the suffix ful, then ly. Take off the endings one at a time, and check that what is left is a word.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Write a long word, such as unhelpful, and ask your child to cross out the prefix and the suffix. Then ask what is left, and what each part means.

Exercise 3A  Practice: root words, prefixes, suffixes and families

1
FWrite the word that matches each meaning.
(a)Write the word that means: not willing to help, or not useful.
2
FWrite the missing word in each sentence.
(a)Write the missing word: The teacher   showed us where the books were kept.
3
FWrite the missing letters.
(a)Write the missing letters:  write
4
PSWrite each word correctly.
(a)Ali writes rered. Write it correctly.
(b)Mia writes inpolite. Write it correctly.
5
FWrite the root word, the prefix and the suffix of unhelpful. Write none if there is no prefix or suffix.
6
PSWrite the root word, the prefix and the suffix of helpfully. Write none if there is no prefix or suffix.
7
RWhich word does not have the root word help: helpful, helper or hopeful?
8
RAli says that unhelpful and helpful mean the same thing. Is he right? Explain.
9
FWrite the suffix in helpfully, and say what it does to helpful.
10
PSWhat is a root word? Give an example, and then add a prefix to it. Accept any answer that says a root word is a word on its own, with a correct example, such as help, and a correct prefix, such as un-.
11
PSWrite two words, other than impolite, that have the root word polite. Accept any two correct words, for example: politely and politeness.
3.2

Negative and reversing prefixes: dis-, mis-, re- and in-

Year 4
Read and spell words with the prefixes dis-, mis- and re-, Read and spell words with in-, and its changed forms im-, il- and ir-
Video lesson: Negative and reversing prefixes: dis-, mis-, re- and in-Coming soon
Story. The school trip is moved to next month. Mia is dissatisfied, because she was looking forward to it. Her teacher says the bus company misread the date on the form, so the class will try again.

The prefix dis- means not or the opposite of, as in dishonest. The prefix mis- means wrongly or badly, as in misbehave and misunderstand. The prefix re- means again, as in reheat and reappear.

The prefix in- also means not. Its spelling changes before some letters, so that the word is easy to say: it becomes im- before m, p or b, il- before l, and ir- before r.

PrefixWhat it meansSpelling before a letterExamples
dis-not, or the opposite ofstays dis-dishonest, dissatisfied
mis-wrongly or badlystays mis-misbehave, misunderstand
re-againstays re-reheat, reappear
in-notstays in- before c and most other lettersincapable
im-notbefore m, p or bimmobile
il-notbefore lillogical
ir-notbefore rirresponsible
The negative prefixes and the reversing and repeating prefixes, with the spelling changes.
dishonestmisbehavereheatimmobile
The shaded letters are the prefix in each word.

Key ideas

  • Dis- and mis- keep their spelling: dishonest, misbehave.
  • Re- means again: reheat means to heat again.
  • In- becomes im- before m, p or b: immobile, not inmobile.
  • In- becomes il- before l, and ir- before r: illogical, irresponsible.
Worked example 3.2.1
Write the word that means: not truthful, and likely to lie or cheat.

Method. Match the meaning to the word, then check the prefix or suffix.

  1. Read the meaning. Think about what the clue describes.
    not truthful, and likely to lie or cheat
  2. Find the word that matches. Think of the one word with this meaning.
    dishonest
  3. Check the affix. Dis- means not. Honest starts with h, so dis- stays as it is.
    Affix letters: dis
  4. Write the answer.
    dishonest

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

Watch out. Dis- means not. Honest starts with h, so dis- stays as it is.

Worked example 3.2.2
Write the missing word: The moon will   from behind the clouds.

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.
    The moon will ___ from behind the clouds.
  2. Find the word that fits the meaning. to come into view again after being hidden
    reappear
  3. Put the word in the gap. Read the sentence again. It makes sense.
    The moon will reappear from behind the clouds.
  4. Write the answer.
    reappear

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

Watch out. Re- means again. Appear is the root word, and it has pp in the middle.

Worked example 3.2.3
Write the missing letters:  responsible

Method. Read the whole word, then fill the box with the affix letters.

  1. Say the whole word, and look at each part. Read every letter in order.
    irresponsible
  2. Look at the empty box. The box stands for the letters in a row, 2 in all.
    2 missing letters
  3. Write the missing letters. In- becomes ir- before r. Responsible starts with r.
    ir

Check. Put ir back in the box and read irresponsible. ✓

Watch out. In- becomes ir- before r. Responsible starts with r.

Watch out

Watch out: do not write inmobile or dissatisfied with one s. Mobile starts with m, so in- becomes im-. Dis- ends in s, and satisfied starts with s, so there are two s letters together.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask your child to say the root word first, then choose the prefix. For in-, ask which letter the root word starts with: capable starts with c, so the prefix stays in-; mobile starts with m, so it becomes im-.

Exercise 3B  Practice: dis-, mis-, re- and in-

1
FWrite the word that matches each meaning.
(a)Write the word that means: not truthful, and likely to lie or cheat.
(b)Write the word that means: not happy or pleased with something.
2
FWrite the missing word in each sentence.
(a)Write the missing word: Read the question carefully, so that you do not   it.
(b)Write the missing word: The puppy will   if we leave the food on the table.
(c)Write the missing word: We will   the soup for lunch.
3
FWrite the missing letters.
(a)Write the missing letters:  appear
(b)Write the missing letters:  capable
4
PSWrite each word correctly.
(a)Ali writes irresponsable. Write it correctly.
(b)Mia writes ilogical. Write it correctly.
(c)Sam writes imobile. Write it correctly.
5
RBen says that the prefix in- never changes its spelling. Is he right? Explain.
6
FWhich word is spelt correctly: irresponsible or inresponsible?
7
RMia says that mis- and dis- both mean not. Is she right? Explain.
8
PSPut these words under the right prefix: reheat, misbehave, illogical, dishonest, immobile.
9
PSWrite two words from this section that start with re-. Say what each one means. Accept any two correct words, for example: reheat (to make hot again) and reappear (to come into view again).
10
FWhich word is spelt correctly: illogical or inlogical?
11
PSWrite one sentence with misunderstand, spelt correctly. Accept any correct sentence, for example: Please read the instructions, so that you do not misunderstand them.
3.3

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

Year 4
Read and spell words with the prefixes sub-, inter-, super-, anti- and auto-, Spell nouns formed with super-, anti- and auto-, such as superstar, antidote and autobiography
Video lesson: Prefixes sub-, inter-, super-, anti- and auto-Coming soon
Story. Ben visits the science centre with his class. A guide shows them a model of a submarine. Later, Ben reads about a superstar scientist, and he finds that she wrote her own autobiography.

The prefix sub- means under, as in subway. The prefix inter- means between or among, as in interlock. The prefix super- means above or beyond, as in superhuman.

The prefix anti- means against, as in antidote, which works against a poison. The prefix auto- means self, as in autopilot, which keeps a ship or aircraft moving by itself.

Some words made with super-, anti- and auto- are nouns. A noun names a person, a place or a thing. A superstar is a person, an antidote is a thing, and an autobiography is a book.

PrefixWhat it meansExamplesSome nouns made with it
sub-undersubway, subheadingsubway
inter-between or amonginterlock, intersectnone in this section
super-above or beyondsuperhuman, supersonicsuperstar
anti-against or oppositeantidoteantidote
auto-selfautobiography, autopilotautobiography, autopilot
Five prefixes, what each one means, and the nouns made with super-, anti- and auto-.
subwayintersectsuperstarautopilot
The shaded letters are the prefix in each word.

Key ideas

  • Sub- means under: a subway is a path under a busy road.
  • Inter- means between: interlock means to fit together.
  • Super- means above or beyond: a superstar is a very famous person.
  • Anti- means against: an antidote works against a poison.
  • Auto- means self: an autobiography is a person's own life story.
Worked example 3.3.1
Write the word that means: a heading that comes under a main heading.

Method. Match the meaning to the word, then check the prefix or suffix.

  1. Read the meaning. Think about what the clue describes.
    a heading that comes under a main heading
  2. Find the word that matches. Think of the one word with this meaning.
    subheading
  3. Check the affix. Sub- means under. Heading is the root word.
    Affix letters: sub
  4. Write the answer.
    subheading

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

Watch out. Sub- means under. Heading is the root word.

Worked example 3.3.2
Write the missing word: The   jet raced across the sky at great speed.

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.
    The ___ jet raced across the sky at great speed.
  2. Find the word that fits the meaning. faster than the speed of sound
    supersonic
  3. Put the word in the gap. Read the sentence again. It makes sense.
    The supersonic jet raced across the sky at great speed.
  4. Write the answer.
    supersonic

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

Watch out. Super- means beyond. Sonic comes from a Latin word meaning sound.

Worked example 3.3.3
Write the missing letters:  pilot

Method. Read the whole word, then fill the box with the affix letters.

  1. Say the whole word, and look at each part. Read every letter in order.
    autopilot
  2. Look at the empty box. The box stands for the letters in a row, 4 in all.
    4 missing letters
  3. Write the missing letters. Auto- means self. Pilot is the root word, and autopilot is a noun.
    auto

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

Watch out. Auto- means self. Pilot is the root word, and autopilot is a noun.

Watch out

Watch out: sub- and super- are opposites in direction. A subway goes under the road. A superstar is above ordinary people in fame. Check the meaning of the prefix before you choose.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask your child to name the prefix in each word, then say what it means. Then ask: is this word a thing, a person or a place? If it is a noun, say the noun aloud, such as superstar.

Exercise 3C  Practice: sub-, inter-, super-, anti- and auto-

1
FWrite the word that matches each meaning.
(a)Write the word that means: a heading that comes under a main heading.
(b)Write the word that means: a path under a busy road for people to walk through.
2
FWrite the missing word in each sentence.
(a)Write the missing word: The two pieces of the puzzle   neatly.
(b)Write the missing word: The two roads   at the roundabout.
(c)Write the missing word: The   signed autographs for the fans after the show.
3
FWrite the missing letters.
(a)Write the missing letters:  sonic
(b)Write the missing letters:  human
4
PSWrite each word correctly.
(a)Ali writes antidot. Write it correctly.
(b)Mia writes autobiograpy. Write it correctly.
(c)Sam writes autopilut. Write it correctly.
5
FWrite the root word, the prefix and the suffix of superstar. Write none if there is no prefix or suffix.
6
PSWrite the root word, the prefix and the suffix of autopilot. Write none if there is no prefix or suffix.
7
RWhich of these is a noun: supersonic or superstar? Explain how you know.
8
RBen says that a subway is a train that goes under the sea. Is he right? Explain.
9
FWrite the prefix that means against, as in antidote, and the prefix that means self, as in autobiography.
10
PSWrite two nouns from this section that are made with super-, anti- or auto-. Accept any two correct nouns, for example: superstar, antidote, autobiography or autopilot.
11
PSSort these words by their prefix: subheading, interlock, superhuman, antidote, autopilot.
3.4

The suffixes -ation and -ly

Year 4
Add the suffix -ation to a root word, and drop the e first where the root word ends in e, Add the suffix -ly to an adjective to make an adverb, with the spelling changes it needs
Video lesson: The suffixes -ation and -lyComing soon
Story. Mia's class plans a trip to the seaside. The teacher explains the plan in a short talk, and everyone listens carefully. Mia makes a list of the things she must prepare, and she checks each one off.

The suffix -ation turns a verb into a noun, which names a thing or an action. Most root words end in e. Drop the e, then add -ation: explore becomes exploration, and prepare becomes preparation.

The suffix -ly turns an adjective into an adverb. An adverb tells how something is done: gently, bravely, successfully. Some adjectives need a change first: gentle drops its e and adds y, and basic adds -ally.

Root wordWhat changesNew word
exploredrop the e, add -ationexploration
preparedrop the e, add -ationpreparation
alterno e to drop; add -ationalteration
gentledrop the e, add -ygently
basicadd -allybasically
finaladd -ly, so the l is doubledfinally
successfulthe -ful becomes -fullysuccessfully
Root words with the change each one needs before the suffix is added.

Key ideas

  • -ation turns a verb into a noun: explore becomes exploration.
  • Most root words end in e: drop the e, then add -ation.
  • -ly turns an adjective into an adverb: gentle becomes gently.
  • Adjectives that end in -ic take -ally: basic becomes basically, and magic becomes magically.
Worked example 3.4.1
Write the word that means: the work of getting ready for something.

Method. Match the meaning to the word, then check the prefix or suffix.

  1. Read the meaning. Think about what the clue describes.
    the work of getting ready for something
  2. Find the word that matches. Think of the one word with this meaning.
    preparation
  3. Check the affix. Prepare ends in e. Drop the e and add -ation.
    Affix letters: ation
  4. Write the answer.
    preparation

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

Watch out. Prepare ends in e. Drop the e and add -ation.

Worked example 3.4.2
Write the missing word: Lift the baby   out of the cot.

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.
    Lift the baby ___ out of the cot.
  2. Find the word that fits the meaning. in a soft, kind and careful way
    gently
  3. Put the word in the gap. Read the sentence again. It makes sense.
    Lift the baby gently out of the cot.
  4. Write the answer.
    gently

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

Watch out. Gentle ends in le. Drop the e and add -y: gently.

Worked example 3.4.3
Write the missing letters: magic 

Method. Read the whole word, then fill the box with the affix letters.

  1. Say the whole word, and look at each part. Read every letter in order.
    magically
  2. Look at the empty box. The box stands for the letters in a row, 4 in all.
    4 missing letters
  3. Write the missing letters. Magic ends in ic, so add -ally: magically.
    ally

Check. Put ally back in the box and read magically. ✓

Watch out. Magic ends in ic, so add -ally: magically.

Watch out

Watch out: do not write explorasion or finaly. The ending is -ation, and final doubles its l before -ly, so the adverb is finally.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask your child to say the root word, then the new word. Ask: what did you take off, and what did you add? Then ask whether the new word is a verb, an adjective, a noun or an adverb.

Exercise 3D  Practice: -ation and -ly

1
FWrite the word that matches each meaning.
(a)Write the word that means: the work of getting ready for something.
(b)Write the word that means: a journey made to find out about a new place.
(c)Write the word that means: a feeling that gives you a new idea to create or do something.
(d)Write the word that means: the ability to form pictures and ideas in your mind.
2
FWrite the missing word in each sentence.
(a)Write the missing word: The crowd showed their   for the athletes.
(b)Write the missing word: The school council is a student   that helps the whole school.
(c)Write the missing word: The tailor made an   to the sleeves of the coat.
(d)Write the missing word: The mayor read a   at the start of the festival.
3
FWrite the missing letters.
(a)Write the missing letters: examin 
(b)Write the missing letters: gent 
(c)Write the missing letters: basic 
(d)Write the missing letters: magic 
4
PSWrite each word correctly.
(a)Ali writes terribley. Write it correctly.
(b)Mia writes successfuly. Write it correctly.
(c)Sam writes finaly. Write it correctly.
(d)Ben writes bravly. Write it correctly.
(e)Ella writes truthfuly. Write it correctly.
5
FWrite the noun made from the verb prepare by adding -ation.
6
RAli says that imagination is made from imagine by just adding -ation. Is he right? Explain.
7
FWhich word is spelt correctly: organisation or organsation?
8
PSWrite the adverb made from the adjective basic.
9
PSWhich is the adjective and which is the adverb: gentle or gently?
10
PSWrite the adverb made from the adjective successful, and say what happens to the ending.
11
RExplain why exploration does not end in -asion. Accept any answer that says the root word explore ends in e, so the e is dropped and -ation is added.
3.5

The suffixes -ous, -sure, -ture and the endings -tion, -sion, -ssion and -cian

Year 4
Add the suffix -ous to a root word, and change the root word first where it needs it, Spell the endings -sure, -ture, -tion, -sion, -ssion and -cian, and say which root word each comes from
Video lesson: The suffixes -ous, -sure, -ture and the endings -tion, -sion, -ssion and -cianComing soon
Story. The school council holds an election on Monday. Ella reads the notice, and she sees that the admission to the play is free. An electrician checks the lights in the hall before the show begins.

The suffix -ous turns a noun into an adjective, which describes a thing. It means full of or having: adventurous means full of adventure. Some root words change first: glory becomes glorious, and mischief becomes mischievous.

The endings -sure and -ture are spelt in different ways, so learn each word. Exposure, enclosure and closure come from roots that end in e. Furniture, mixture and texture end in -ture.

The endings -tion, -sion and -ssion all sound alike, so check the root word. Revise becomes revision. Admit becomes admission, because the t changes to ss. The ending -cian is added to a root word that ends in c, as in electric and electrician.

EndingExampleRoot word and change
-ousadventurousadventure: drop the e
-ouspoisonouspoison: add -ous, no change
-sureexposureexpose: drop the e, add -ure
-turemixturemix: add -ture
-sionrevisionrevise: drop the e, add -ion
-ssionadmissionadmit: t changes to ss, add -ion
-cianelectricianelectric: add -ian
Endings from this section, with the root word and the change that each one needs.

Key ideas

  • Adventure ends in e, so drop the e and add -ous: adventurous.
  • Glory ends in y, so change the y to i and add -ous: glorious.
  • Expose ends in e, so drop the e and add -ure, spelt -sure: exposure.
  • Expand changes its d to s, then -ion is added: expansion.
  • Admit changes its t to ss, then -ion is added: admission.
  • Electric ends in c, so add -ian: electrician.
Worked example 3.5.1
Write the word that means: willing to try new and exciting things.

Method. Match the meaning to the word, then check the prefix or suffix.

  1. Read the meaning. Think about what the clue describes.
    willing to try new and exciting things
  2. Find the word that matches. Think of the one word with this meaning.
    adventurous
  3. Check the affix. Adventure ends in e. Drop the e and add -ous.
    Affix letters: ous
  4. Write the answer.
    adventurous

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

Watch out. Adventure ends in e. Drop the e and add -ous.

Worked example 3.5.2
Write the missing word: The ticket gives you   to the museum.

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.
    The ticket gives you ___ to the museum.
  2. Find the word that fits the meaning. permission to go into a place, or to be let in
    admission
  3. Put the word in the gap. Read the sentence again. It makes sense.
    The ticket gives you admission to the museum.
  4. Write the answer.
    admission

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

Watch out. Admit ends in t. The t changes to ss, then -ion is added.

Worked example 3.5.3
Write the missing letters: mix 

Method. Read the whole word, then fill the box with the affix letters.

  1. Say the whole word, and look at each part. Read every letter in order.
    mixture
  2. Look at the empty box. The box stands for the letters in a row, 4 in all.
    4 missing letters
  3. Write the missing letters. Mix ends in x. Add -ture: mixture.
    ture

Check. Put ture back in the box and read mixture. ✓

Watch out. Mix ends in x. Add -ture: mixture.

Watch out

Watch out: revision ends in -sion, but admission ends in -ssion. Check the root word first: revise gives -sion, and admit gives -ssion. Do not write poisonus: poison ends in n, and -ous is added straight on.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Write each root word on a card, and the new word on the other side. Ask your child to say what changed. Sort the cards into the endings: -sure, -ture, -sion, -ssion, -cian and -ous.

Exercise 3E  Practice: -ous, -sure, -ture, -tion, -sion, -ssion and -cian

1
FWrite the word that matches each meaning.
(a)Write the word that means: willing to try new and exciting things.
(b)Write the word that means: able to cause harm or death if it is eaten or touched.
(c)Write the word that means: happy to share and give things to other people.
(d)Write the word that means: very beautiful or splendid.
(e)Write the word that means: dangerous, and likely to cause harm.
2
FWrite the missing word in each sentence.
(a)Write the missing word: The   kitten hid the ball under the sofa.
(b)Write the missing word: Too much sun   can harm your skin, so wear a hat.
(c)Write the missing word: The goats stay in the   by the old barn.
(d)Write the missing word: We bought new   for the living room.
(e)Write the missing word: Stir the   until the sugar has dissolved.
3
FWrite the missing letters.
(a)Write the missing letters: tex 
(b)Write the missing letters: clo 
(c)Write the missing letters: revi 
(d)Write the missing letters: confu 
(e)Write the missing letters: explo 
4
PSWrite each word correctly.
(a)Ali writes expanshion. Write it correctly.
(b)Mia writes admision. Write it correctly.
(c)Sam writes impresion. Write it correctly.
(d)Ben writes electritian. Write it correctly.
(e)Ella writes electon. Write it correctly.
(f)Ravi writes optitian. Write it correctly.
5
FWrite the adjective made from the noun hazard with the suffix -ous.
6
FWhich word ends in -sure: exposure, texture or furniture?
7
RMia says that mixture and furniture both end in -ture. Is she right? Explain.
8
PSWhat is the ending of electrician and of optician? Write one word for both.
9
PSSort these into their endings: revision, admission, election, optician. Write each word under -sion, -ssion, -tion or -cian.
10
RBen says that expansion and admission have the same ending. Is he right? Explain.
11
PSExplain why poisonous keeps the root word poison the same before -ous.
3.6

Adding vowel suffixes, the doubling rule and word families

Year 4
Add vowel suffixes such as -ed and -ing to words of more than one syllable, using the doubling rule where it applies, Recognise word families built from one root word, and say how a prefix or suffix changes it
Video lesson: Adding vowel suffixes, the doubling rule and word familiesComing soon
Story. The library is opening a new club on Saturday. Ravi visits the desk to ask about it. He regrets missing the first meeting, but the librarian says there is still room, and that the club is limiting its places.

A vowel suffix starts with a vowel letter, such as -ed, -ing, -er or -al. When a word has one vowel and one consonant at the end, we must decide whether to double that consonant before the suffix.

Ask where the stress is. If the stress is on the end of the root word, double the last consonant: regret becomes regretted, and occur becomes occurred. If the stress is on the start, keep one consonant: visit becomes visited, and open becomes opening.

A word family is built from one root word. The root word act gives action, active, activity, inactive and interact.

Root wordWhere the stress isDouble the consonant?New word
regreton the endyesregretted
occuron the endyesoccurred
visiton the startnovisited
openon the startnoopening
limiton the startnolimiting
happenon the startno (it already has pp)happening
The doubling rule: check where the stress is, then decide.
regrettedvisitedcontrolledopening
The shaded letters are the ending. Look at the letter before the ending as well.

Key ideas

  • Double the last consonant before -ed or -ing when the stress is on the end: regretted, controlled.
  • Keep one consonant when the stress is on the start: visited, limiting, opening.
  • Happen already has pp, so happening keeps both p letters.
  • A word family shares one root word: act, action, active, activity, interact.
Worked example 3.6.1
Write the word that means: felt sorry about something that you did.

Method. Match the meaning to the word, then check the prefix or suffix.

  1. Read the meaning. Think about what the clue describes.
    felt sorry about something that you did
  2. Find the word that matches. Think of the one word with this meaning.
    regretted
  3. Check the affix. Regret is stressed on the end, so double the t before -ed.
    Affix letters: tt
  4. Write the answer.
    regretted

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

Watch out. Regret is stressed on the end, so double the t before -ed.

Worked example 3.6.2
Write the missing word: The sign is   the speed on this road.

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.
    The sign is ___ the speed on this road.
  2. Find the word that fits the meaning. keeping something from going above a set amount
    limiting
  3. Put the word in the gap. Read the sentence again. It makes sense.
    The sign is limiting the speed on this road.
  4. Write the answer.
    limiting

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

Watch out. Limit is stressed on the start, so do not double the t: limiting.

Worked example 3.6.3
Write the missing letters: contro ed

Method. Read the whole word, then fill the box with the affix letters.

  1. Say the whole word, and look at each part. Read every letter in order.
    controlled
  2. Look at the empty box. The box stands for the letters in a row, 2 in all.
    2 missing letters
  3. Write the missing letters. Control is stressed on the end, so double the l before -ed.
    ll

Check. Put ll back in the box and read controlled. ✓

Watch out. Control is stressed on the end, so double the l before -ed.

Watch out

Watch out: do not write visitted or openning. The stress is on the start of visit and open, so keep one consonant before the ending.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Say the word aloud, and ask which part is said most strongly. If it is the last part, double the last letter. Then write the word and check it with the list of examples above.

Exercise 3F  Practice: vowel suffixes, the doubling rule and word families

1
FWrite the word that matches each meaning.
(a)Write the word that means: felt sorry about something that you did.
(b)Write the word that means: happened.
2
FWrite the missing word in each sentence.
(a)Write the missing word: The gardener   the spread of the weeds.
(b)Write the missing word: The climbers were   with ropes and helmets.
(c)Write the missing word: Please   your story by Friday.
3
FWrite the missing letters.
(a)Write the missing letters: visit 
(b)Write the missing letters: limit 
(c)Write the missing letters: offer 
4
PSWrite each word correctly.
(a)Ali writes openning. Write it correctly.
(b)Mia writes benefitted. Write it correctly.
(c)Sam writes happenning. Write it correctly.
5
FWhich word doubles its last consonant before -ed: visited or controlled?
6
RAli says that opening and openning are both correct. Is he right? Explain.
7
RBen says that happening has only one p, because happen has only one p. Is he right? Explain.
8
RAli says that action, active and activity all come from the root word act. Is he right? Explain.
9
PSWrite three words from the press family. Accept any three correct words, for example: pressure, express, impress.
10
RWhich word is not built from the root word vis: visit, visitor, visible or victor?
11
PSExplain why visited has one t, but regretted has two t letters.

Chapter summary

SkillMethod
Root word, prefix, suffix, word familyTake off the prefix and the suffix to find the root word. A word family shares one root word: help, helpful, helper, unhelpful.
dis-, mis-, re-, in-dishonest, dissatisfied; misbehave, misunderstand; reheat, reappear; incapable; in- becomes im- before m, p or b, il- before l, and ir- before r.
sub-, inter-, super-, anti-, auto-subway, subheading; interlock, intersect; superstar, superhuman, supersonic; antidote; autobiography, autopilot. Nouns: superstar, antidote, autobiography, autopilot.
-ationDrop the e, then add -ation: preparation, exploration, inspiration, imagination, admiration, organisation, declaration, examination. Alteration adds -ation to alter.
-lygently (drop the e, add y); basically (add -ally after -ic); magically; finally (double the l); successfully and truthfully (-ful becomes -fully); terribly, bravely.
-ousadventurous (drop the e), poisonous, generous, glorious (y to i), hazardous, mischievous (f to v).
-sure, -tureexposure, enclosure, closure (drop the e, add -ure); furniture, mixture, texture.
-tion, -sion, -ssion, -cianelection; revision, confusion, explosion, expansion; admission, impression; electrician, optician.
Vowel suffixes and the doubling ruleStress on the end: double the consonant, as in regretted, occurred, controlled, equipped, submitted. Stress on the start: keep one, as in visited, limiting, offering, opening, benefited. Happening keeps the pp of happen.
Word familiesact: action, active, activity, inactive, interact, reaction; press: pressure, express, impress, impression; vis: visit, visitor, visible, invisible, vision.

Can you…?

  • I can take off the prefix and the suffix to find the root word of a new word
  • I can use the terms prefix, suffix, root word and word family correctly
  • I can add dis-, mis-, re- and in- (with im-, il- and ir-) and say what each one means
  • I can add sub-, inter-, super-, anti- and auto-, and spell the nouns made with super-, anti- and auto-
  • I can add -ation, -ly and -ous, and make the change to the root word first
  • I can spell the endings -sure, -ture, -tion, -sion, -ssion and -cian
  • I can decide whether to double the last consonant, using the stress of the root word

Key terms

root word
a word on its own, which can have a prefix or a suffix added to it
prefix
letters added to the start of a root word, which change its meaning
suffix
letters added to the end of a root word, which can change its meaning or its word class
word family
a group of words that are all built from the same root word
noun
a word that names a person, a place or a thing
adjective
a word that describes a thing, such as gentle
adverb
a word that tells how something is done, such as gently
vowel suffix
a suffix that starts with a vowel letter, such as -ed, -ing or -er
stress
the part of a word that is said most strongly
doubling rule
double the last consonant before a vowel suffix when the stress is on the end of the root word

Exercise 3Z  Check-up

1
Write the word that means: not willing to help, or not useful.
2
Write the missing word: We will   the soup for lunch.
3
Write the missing letters:  dote
4
Ali writes supperstar. Write it correctly.
5
Write the root word, the prefix and the suffix of rewrite. Write none if there is no prefix or suffix.
6
Mia says that illogical and irresponsible both use il-, because both are negative. Is she right? Explain.
7
Write the word that means: very beautiful or splendid.
8
Write the missing word: Good   helps you do well in a test.
9
Write the missing letters: final 
10
Ali says that exposure and enclosure both end in -sure. Is he right? Explain.

Total 19 marks. Allow about 19 minutes.

Exercise 3X  Practice test questions

1
FWrite the word that means: dangerous, and likely to cause harm.[1 mark]
2
FWrite the missing letters: furni [1 mark]
3
PSMia writes expanshion. Write it correctly.[1 mark]
4
FWrite the missing word: Her story shows great   and creativity.[2 marks]
5
FWrite the word that means: felt sorry about something that you did.[2 marks]
6
RAli says that the prefix in impolite is im-, because polite starts with p. Is he right? Explain.[2 marks]
7
PSWrite the word from the press family that means the feeling or idea you get about someone or something.[2 marks]
8
RMia writes visitted for visited. Write the word correctly, and explain why it has one t.[3 marks]
9
PSWrite one sentence with the adverb bravely, spelt correctly. Accept any correct sentence, for example: The firefighter bravely climbed the ladder.[2 marks]
10
RBen says that autobiography and autopilot mean the same thing, because both start with auto-. Is he right? Explain.[3 marks]
← Chapter 2: The statutory word list and the dictionaryChapter 4: Plurals and possession →

Websink Prep UK is an independent site. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by AQA, Pearson Edexcel, OCR, WJEC, Eduqas, CCEA, SQA, GL Assessment, CEM or the Department for Education. All exam board names and trademarks belong to their owners. Past papers are linked from the exam boards' own websites and are not hosted here.

About Websink Prep UK · Find a tutor · Privacy · Terms · Cookie settings