a letter or group of letters added to the end of a root word

the base word from which other words are formed often by adding prefixes or suffixes

the form of an adjective or adverb that indicates the highest degree of a quality when comparing three or more things

Spelling words with the superlative suffix -est

English

In this unit, pupils learn  a range of spelling patterns and conventions, with a focus on homophones and suffixes. In ‘Letter strings, etymology and curriculum words'’, pupils focus on spellings of key letters strings, words of French and Greek origin and curriculum words. 

In ‘Etymology and prefixes' pupils learnt a range of spelling patterns, including a focus on prefixes. In this unit, pupils  build on this knowledge, building on a range of spelling patterns and conventions, with a focus on homophones and suffixes. 

In this unit, pupils build and review a range of spelling patterns with a focus on homonyms, homophones and a wide range of suffixes, including -ed, -ing, -er, -est, -s, -ies, -es, -ves, -le, -el, -il, -al, -cian, -tion, -sion, -ssion, -ous, -tious, -cious, -cial and -tial.

Homophones and tense

Which of the following is a superlative adjective?

What rule is being used when the word 'thin' becomes 'thinnest' when adding the suffix -est?

What rule is being used when the word 'healthy' becomes 'healthiest' when adding the suffix -est?

What rule is being used when the word 'pale' becomes 'palest' when adding the suffix -est?

What rule is being used when the word 'tough' becomes 'toughest' when adding the suffix -est?

Write the correct spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: The post office is always **busyest** early in the morning,

Match the word to the suffix it contains.

What happens when the suffix -est is added to a word such as 'long' or 'cold'?

What rule is being used when the word 'brave' becomes 'bravest' when adding the suffix -est?

Match the root words to the corresponding verbs with the suffix -est.

Select all the words containing the suffix -est.

Match the verbs to the rule they use when the suffix -est is added.

Starter Quiz