Suffixes are word parts that are added to the end of a root word to change its meaning. Knowing what suffixes mean can help students make sense of unknown words they come across. Spelling and using suffixes correctly is a bit harder to master than prefixes because suffixes often change the spelling of root words. Furthermore, the way in which a suffix changes the spelling of a root word varies depending on the suffix being used.
Suffix Rules:
The rule that applies to a suffix depends on what kind of suffix it is. There are two main types: consonant suffixes and vowel suffixes. Consonant suffixes are simply those that begin with a consonant, like ‘-ness’ and ‘ly.’ Vowel suffixes begin with a vowel. Usually, when we add a consonant suffix to a root word, the spelling of the root word remains intact. No letters are changed or added, other than the suffix itself. (There are, as always, exceptions to this rule, like the word ‘happily.’) Vowel suffixes are a bit more complex.
Rules for adding a vowel suffix:
When you have a root word that ends with two consonants, just add the suffix (fish —> fishing)
When you have a root word that is one syllable and has a single consonant at the end, double the last letter before adding the suffix (flop —> flopped)
When you have a root word that ends in a silent e, remove the e before adding the suffix (dive —> diving)
When you have root word that ends in a y, change the y to an i. This applies to BOTH vowel and consonant suffixes! (baby —> babies, happy —> happiness). There are also some exceptions to this rule, such as “hurrying.”
We created the visual below to help students remember this important but commonly forgotten suffix rule for adding ‘-ed’ and ‘-ing’:
Conclusion
Teaching students individual word parts like suffixes allows them to more competently and efficiently define words they come across. When students learn words as whole units, and not by their parts, they are less likely to see exactly what suffixes do to the meaning and spelling of words. When all students do is memorize whole words, they aren’t able to see that a single suffix, while it can appear in countless words, has just one definition. When they learn these definitions and can apply them to words in which they appear, their reading drastically improves.
Frequently Asked Questions About Suffixes
What is the definition of a suffix?
A suffix is a letter or group of letters that can be added to the end of a word to change its meaning. For example, the suffix ‘-ly’ can be added to the end of words like ‘quick’ or ‘slow’ to create new words like ‘quickly’ and ‘slowly.’
How do suffixes change the meaning of words?
Suffixes can change the meaning of words in a number of ways. For example, the suffix ‘-ness’ can be added to words like ‘happy’ or ‘sad’ to create new words that describe states or qualities, like ‘happiness’ and ‘sadness.’ Similarly, the suffix ‘-er’ can be added to words like ‘work’ or ‘run’ to create new words that describe someone who performs that action, like ‘worker’ or ‘runner.’
How do suffixes change the spelling of words?
The spelling of words can be changed in a number of ways when suffixes are added. For example, the suffix ‘-ed’ is added to regular verbs to create the past tense, as in the words ‘worked’ and ‘ran.’ In some cases, the spelling of the root word changes when a suffix is added, as in the word ‘happiness,’ which is derived from the root word ‘happy.’
What are some common suffixes?
Some of the most common suffixes are ‘-ness,’ ‘-er,’ ‘-ed,’ ‘-ing,’ and ‘-ly.’ These suffixes can be added to a variety of different words to create new words with different meanings.
What are some exceptions to the rules for adding suffixes?
There are always exceptions to the rules! For example, the word ‘happy’ becomes ‘happiness’ when the suffix ‘-ness’ is added, but the word ‘sad’ becomes ‘sadden’ when the same suffix is added. In addition, the suffix ‘-ful’ is added to words like ‘care’ to create the word ‘careful,’ but the suffix ‘-less’ is added to words like ‘care’ to create the word ‘careless.’ As you can see, it’s important to know the rules for adding suffixes, but it’s also important to be aware of the exceptions.
What are some common words that are made with suffixes?
Some common words that are made with suffixes include ‘happiness,’ ‘careful,’ ‘careless,’ ‘hardworking,’ ‘beautiful,’ and ‘useless.’ These words are all derived from root words that have had suffixes added to them in order to change their meaning.
Why is it important to learn about suffixes?
Knowing about suffixes can help you understand the meaning of new words that you come across. It can also help you spell words correctly, as many words are spelled differently when suffixes are added. In addition, understanding suffixes can help you understand the meaning of words in a sentence, as the position of a word in a sentence can often be changed by adding a suffix. For example, the word ‘carefully’ can be added to the end of the sentence ‘She ran quickly’ to change the meaning of the sentence. Without knowing about suffixes, it would be difficult to understand how the meaning of the sentence had changed.
What are some tips for learning about suffixes?
One tip for learning about suffixes is to focus on one suffix at a time. Try to learn the meaning of the suffix and how it changes the spelling of words. Then, once you feel comfortable with that suffix, move on to another one. It’s also helpful to practice using new words that you’ve learned in sentences. This will help you remember the meaning of the words and how to spell them correctly. Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for help if you’re having trouble understanding something. There are many resources available that can help you learn about suffixes, so don’t hesitate to seek out help if you need it.
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