Determine the meaning of a word with a suffix: review
Key Notes :
What is a Suffix?
A suffix is a group of letters added to the end of a word. It changes the meaning of the word. Think of it like adding a special ending to a word to give it a new job! The main word that the suffix is attached to is called the root word.
| Common Suffixes and Their Meanings |
| -er / -or: Someone who does something (e.g., teacher, actor) -ing: An action that is happening now (e.g., running, singing) -ly: In a certain way (e.g., quickly, happily) -ness: A state of being (e.g., kindness, happiness) -ful: Full of (e.g., helpful, beautiful) -less: Without (e.g., careless, homeless) -able / -ible: Able to be (e.g., readable, visible) | -er / -or -ing -ly -ness -ful -less -able / -ible |
| How Suffixes Change Meaning |
Adding a suffix can change a word from a noun to an adjective, a verb to a noun, or even change the tense of a verb.
Examples:
- Help (verb) + -ful = Helpful (adjective) – Full of help
- Kind (adjective) + -ness = Kindness (noun) – The state of being kind
- Walk (verb) + -ing = Walking (verb) – An action in progress
| Practice Time! |
Exercise 1: Identify the Suffix
Underline the suffix in each word.
- Teacher
- Singing
- Quickly
- Happiness
- Careless
Exercise 2: Match the Suffix to the Meaning
Draw a line to match the suffix to its meaning.
- -er/or * Without
- -less * In a certain way
- -ly * Someone who does something
Exercise 3: Use the Suffix
Add the correct suffix to the word in parentheses to complete the sentence.
- The cat ran (quick)__________ across the yard.
- She showed (kind)__________ to the lost puppy.
- The book was very (read)__________ .
Exercise 4: Create a Word
Combine a root word and a suffix from the lists below to make a new word. Write a sentence using the new word.
Root Words: play, use, care
Suffixes: -ful, -less, -er
Example: play + er = player. The baseball player hit a home run.
| Next Steps |
Keep practicing identifying suffixes in the words you read! The more you practice, the easier it will become to understand what words mean. You can also look for root words and see how many different suffixes can be added to them!
Let’s practice!
