Suffixes Worksheet

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Suffixes are important elements of the English language. They are used to make new words and
give base words different meanings. There are vowel suffixes and consonant suffixes. Vowel
suffixes include endings such as -ed, -er, -es, -end, and -ing. Consonant suffixes include endings
such as -s, -less, -ness, -ment, and -ly. Adding suffixes to words can be tricky to learn and master,
but learning six basic suffix spelling rules will help you know how to use suffixes correctly. Keep
in mind that there are some exceptions to each of the suffix rules.

Rule 1: Double the Consonant

Adding suffixes to some base words that end with a consonant requires doubling the last letter,
but only in certain situations. Short Vowel and One Consonant When a word ends in a short vowel
sound followed by a single consonant, the last letter of the word will need to be doubled before the
suffix is added.
 fat + -er = Fatter
 flip + -ed = flipped
Suffix Spelling Rules:
6 Keys for Adding Suffixes Correctly
 mud + -y = muddy
 shop + -ed = shopped
 swim + -ing = swimming
Multiple Syllables and L at the End
When a word has more than one syllable and ends with the letter "l," you will need to double the"l"
when adding the suffix.
 cancel + -ed = cancelled
 control + -ed = controlled
 propel + -er = propeller
 compel + -ing = compelling
 fulfil + -ment = fulfilment
Exceptions to the Doubling Rule
The doubling rule does not apply to words that end in "w," "x" or "y."

Rule 2: Drop the Silent E

The rule for dropping the final silent "e" in a word is based on whether the first letter of the suffixes
a vowel or consonant. Silent E and Vowel Suffix When a word ends in a silent letter "e" and you are
adding a suffix that begins with a vowel, thendrop the final "e."
 drive + -ing = driving
 hope + -ing = hoping
 make + -er = maker
 adore + -able = adorable
 use + -er = user
Silent E Exception
There are a few words that meet the criteria for dropping the silent "e" with a vowel suffix, butwith
which the "e" has to be kept.
 like + -able = likeable
 size + -able = sizeable

Rule 3: Keep the Final E

There are a few situations in which the final "e" stays with a word when adding a suffix. Base
Words Ending in CG or GE When the base word ends in the letters "ce" or "ge" and the suffix begins
with the letters "a" or"o," the final "e" should stay.
 advantage + -ous = advantageous
 change + -able = changeable
 courage + -ous = courageous
 service + -able = serviceable
 notice + -able = noticeable

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Base Words Ending in EE or YE
You will also need to keep the "e" at the end of the word if it ends in "ee" or "ye."
 agree + -ing = agreeing
 decree + -ing = decreeing
 eye + -ing = eyeing
 foresee + -ing = foreseeing
 see + -ing = seeing
Adding the Suffix –ly :- Remember to keep the "e" if using the suffix -ly
 late + -ly = lately
 rare + -ly = rarely
 love + -ly = lovely
 home + -ly = homely
 definite + -ly = definitely
Adding the Suffix –ful : When you add the suffix –ful to a word that ends with
an "e," keep the "e."
 care + -ful = careful
 use + -ful = useful
 peace + -ful = peaceful
Rule 4: Keep the Y
There are a few scenarios that require keeping the "y" at the end of a word when adding a suffix.
Base Words Ending in a Vowel Then Y When a word ends with "y" and has a vowel before the "y,"
then keep the "y" when adding a suffix.
 enjoy + -ed = enjoyed
 play + -ing = playing
 buy + -er = buyer
 joy + -ful = joyful
Adding a Suffix That Starts With I
Another time to keep the "y" is if the suffix starts with the letter "i." Remember that a word cannot
have two i's in a row.
 worry + -ing = worrying
 copy + -ing = copying
 carry + -ing = carrying
 supply + -ing = supplying
 marry + -ing = marrying
Rule 5: Change the Y to an I
There are times that the "y" at the end of the word has to be changed to an "i" in order to add a
suffix.
Base Words Ending with a Consonant
When the word has a consonant before the "y" at the end, you will need to change the "y" to "i"
before adding the suffix.
 beauty + -ful = beautiful
 duty + -ful = dutiful
 happy + -ness = happiness
Exceptions to the Y to I Rule
Not surprisingly, there are some exceptions to this rule.
 dry + -er = dryer
 baby + -hood = babyhood
 lady + -ship = ladyship
Rule 6: Change IE to Y
When a word ends in "ie," change the ending to "y" when you add the suffix -ing
 die + - ing = dying
 tie + -ing = tying
 untie + -ing = untying
 lie + -ing = lying
 vie + -ing = vying

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Suffixes that make NOUNS
Suffix Meaning Example
–age a result wreckage
–ance an action or state importance
-ant a person assistant
–ee a person referee
-ence an action or state difference
-er / or a person teacher
–ery a type or place of work bakery
–ess makes a feminine form waitress
-ful as much as will fill spoonful
–ing an action or result painting
-ion a process, state or result decoration
–ism a belief or condition judaism
-ist a person florist
–ment an action or state measurement

Suffixes that make ADJECTIVES

Suffix Meaning Example
-able Able to be inflatable
-en Made of woolen
-ful Full of beautiful
-ible Ability flexible
-ish A little greenish
-less Without careless
-like Similar to, like lifelike
-ous Full of joyous
-some A tendency to quarrelsome

Suffixes that make ADVERBS

Suffix Meaning Example
-ly in a manner quickly
-ward shows direction forward
-ways shows direction sideways

Suffix Meaning Example

-ee individual does something
-eer engaged in something, associated
with something
-er someone who performs an action
-ion the action or process of
-ism theory, act or belief
-ity the state or condition of
-ment the action or result of
-ness a state or quality
-or a person who is something
referee, employee, trustee, retiree
auctioneer, volunteer, engineer,
profiteer
helper, teacher, preacher, dancer
celebration, opinion, decision, revision
criticism, humanism, professionalism,
patriotism
probability, equality, abnormality, civility
movement, retirement, abandonment,
establishment
fondness, awareness, kindness, darkness
distributor, investigator, translator,
conductor

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-sion state or being depression, confusion, tension, compulsion
-ship position held worship, ownership, courtship, internship
-th state or quality strength, labyrinth, depth, warmth
Adjective Suffixes
Since you can have noun suffixes, it only makes sense that you can have adjective suffixes
too. These suffixes work to make words that you can use to describe things.
Suffix Meaning Example
-able, - ible capable of being preventable, adaptable, predictable, credible
-al pertaining to theatrical, natural, criminal, seasonal
-ant inclined to or tending to vigilant, defiant, brilliant, reliant
-ary of or relating to budgetary, planetary, military, honorary
-ful full of or notable of grateful, beautiful, wonderful, fanciful
-ic relating to iconic, organic, heroic, poetic
-ious, -ous having qualities of gracious, cautious, humorous, fabulous
-ive quality or nature of creative, expensive, expressive, pensive
-less without something hopeless, faultless, fearless restless
-y made up of or
characterized by brainy, fruity, tasty, grouchy
Verb Suffixes
In a sentence, you use a verb to tell the action or state. For example, you laughed at the
joke. See a few different verb suffixes that you might use in your sentences.
Suffix Meaning Example
-ed past-tense version of a verb laughed, climbed, called, missed
-en become soften, fasten, lengthen, strengthen
-er action or process, making an
adjective comparative faster, bigger, fuller, longer
-ing verb form/present participle of
an action laughing, swimming, driving, writing
-ize, -ise to cause or to become memorialize, authorize, commercialize, advertise
Adverb Suffixes
Information in a sentence is key. Therefore adverbs are important because they convey
information about adjectives or verbs. Check out these adverb suffix examples at work.
Suffix Meaning Example
-ly in what manner something is being done bravely, simply, honestly, gladly
-ward in a certain direction backward, wayward, awkward, afterward
-wise in relation to clockwise, edgewise, lengthwise, otherwise

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Suffixes :-

-able - ible -al -hood -ings -acy - er / or -dom -ish -ee

-ness -ism -ment -ance -ive -ful -ance -scope -ology -age
-ity -phone -ence -ing -port -ian -like -ess
-tion -ic -est -less 9361835327 -ism -ry -some -en
-ant -ence -ways -ward -eer -sion -ation -ly -th -y
-ious / ous -ed - ise/ ize -wise -ship -graph -al -ify / fy -ist

Exercise :-

help pass loud hazard smart self cremate sleep

big tall wire insure clue infect fill ship
celebrate worth small add young metal reverse disable
tour air micro create season joy happy play
zoo break history equal fast real clever complete
taste teach criminal vision creative bio cord library
sing flaw quick tele geo journal adventure sad
herb perform organ psycho thought xylo auto micro
absent encourage require vandal throw disagree expect man
adult organ manage cycle woman present develop end
sing child make match morph priest engage mail
deny endure national fief care try
free bake pay prince assist flat
9361835327
host green remedy tolerate decorate bore
quarrel slave serve group star wait barbarian life
expect wool emerge side blue for award cup
way air differ material manner spoon red Water
employ depress deep kind nature trust poet translate
crime distribute hero conduct industry brain dark profit
aware humour auction create investigate simple oppress climb
grace taste laugh beauty democrat beg soft caution
haste miss confuse wood inflate author friend memory
commerce simple length wreck refer brave after swim
call back other capital sky cancel glad clock
propel drive notice home care advantage tie climb
peace die size compel mix intern use tight
hard control duty adore justice warm fulfil service
courage sharp invent lie length magnification hypnotism Workman
method flora percussion colony geology Music
piano guitar

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