Suffixes: word endings (ed, ing)
Prefixes and suffixes are structural changes added to root words.
Common endings that begin with a vowel (-er, -est, -ing, -ed, able) are usually sounded as syllables. A syllable is a vowel or a group of letters containing a vowel sound which together form a pronounceable unit. All words include at least one vowel.
Spelling Rule: (Applies to words that have one syllable). When a short vowel is followed by one consonant at the end of the root word, double the last consonant and add (ed) or (ing).
To state this rule simply; “short vowel, one consonant, double” (It needs a friend)
Example: The letter “u” is a short vowel in the word run. It is followed by one consonant (n), therefore the last letter (n) is doubled - running.
If the short vowel is followed by two consonants (mp), as in the word jump, the last consonant is not doubled - jumping.
Read these words (verbs)
“Verbs" are action words or words that show movement
beg | begged | begging |
box | boxed* | boxing* |
clip | clipped | clipping |
dim | dimmed | dimming |
drag | dragged | dragging |
drop | dropped | dropping |
fax | faxed* | faxing* |
fix | fixed* | fixing* |
flap | flapped | flapping |
grab | grabbed | grabbing |
grin | grinned | grinning |
grip | gripped | gripping |
hop | hopped | hopping |
hug | hugged | hugging |
jog | jogged | jogging |
mix | mixed* | mixing* |
pat | patted | patting |
plan | planned | planning |
plug | plugged | plugging |
shop | shopped | shopping |
stop | stopped | stopping |
tag | tagged | tagging |
run | running | |
sit | sitting |
*Words (verbs) ending with the letter “x” are not doubled because the letter “x” is a blend of two consonants “ks”
If the short vowel is followed by two or more consonants (mp), as in the word jump, the last consonant is not doubled - jumping.back | backed | backing |
bang | banged | banging |
end | ended | ending |
hand | handed | handing |
help | helped | helping |
itch | itched | itching |
jump | jumped | jumping |
kick | kicked | kicking |
kill | killed | killing |
rest | rested | resting |
sing | singing | |
wish | wished | wishing |
Dictation/Spelling Practice for Suffixes
Do you recall the spelling rule regarding the root word + ending?
“short vowel, one consonant,
double” (the last consonant)
“short vowel, two or
more consonants, do not double" (the last consonant)
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Read these sentences.
- His dog begged for my snack.
- Did the glass crack when you dropped it?
- The rabbit hopped into the bushes.
- I hugged my mom and dad when they left the park.
- I like to go shopping with my mom.
- We stopped and petted the dogs.
- I was running very fast when I got tagged.
- I helped my dad do a trick.
- We kicked a tin can and then rested on the grass.
- The man milked a big black yak.
- My back itched so much I had to scratch it.
- I asked my mom to come and help me.
Create a sentence that includes at least one base word + (ed), (ing). Your writing should reflect good penmanship, proper spacing, and correct usage of upper and lowercase letters. Remember all sentences begin with a capital letter and end with a period (.), question mark (?), or exclamation point (!).
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This portion of the lesson is meant for exposure.
The student should revisit this page
after he/she has completed
lesson (#22, long
“e”). Mastery in regard to reading should
easily
be achieved after the student has completed
all the lessons.
The suffixes (–ly) added to a base/root word changes its meaning. Sometimes it changes the way the word is used. Words ending in “–ly” normally tell how or how often something is done.
Words ending with the suffix –ly (sounds like long e)
amply | dimly | gladly | openly | shortly |
badly | distinctly | grimly | partly | simply |
barely | doubtfully | hardly | plainly | slowly |
bluntly | entirely | hotly | possibly | softly |
briefly | exactly | justly | practically | swiftly |
calmly | faintly | kindly | probably | tenderly |
clearly | firmly | lately | promptly | terribly |
closely | flatly | loudly | purely | thinly |
costly | finally | lowly | quickly | totally |
critically | fondly | mainly | quietly | truly |
deadly | frankly | mostly | rarely | unlikely |
dearly | freely | nearly | really | usually |
deeply | gently | oddly | sadly | warmly |