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Lesson 8 of 16
New
New
- Year 6
Spelling words with the -ible suffix
I can spell words with the suffix -ible and -ibly.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The suffix -ible is common if a complete root word cannot be heard before it, e.g. legible, invincible.
- If there is an obvious root, the suffix -ible usually follows stems ending in an 's' sound e.g. response - responsible.
- Removing the -ible suffix does not usually leave a recognisable root word in English, e.g. visible - vis.
- Adjectives ending in the suffix -ible and adverbs ending in the suffix -ibly are connected in spelling and meaning.
- How to spell the curriculum words: definite and immediate.
Keywords
Suffix - a letter or group of letters added to the end of a word to change its meaning
Root word - the base word from which other words are formed often by adding prefixes or suffixes
Adjective - describes a noun
Adverb - describes a verb
Common misconception
Pupils may assume all words ending in -ible do not have a root word.
Demonstrate that some words ending in '-ible', like 'sensible', are derived from recognisable English root words. However, there are also '-ible' words whose roots are not complete English words but may originate from Latin, like 'vis' to 'visible'.
In the cloze passage for Task B, both 'sensible' and 'possible' could fit in the third gap. Explore which one is most appropriate, by discussing the nuance of each word.
Teacher tip
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What word class is the word in bold in the following sentence? 'The sensible pupil packed his books into his bag carefully.'
What word class is the word in bold in the following sentence? 'The sensible pupil packed his books into his bag carefully.'
verb
noun
adverb
Q2.What word class is the word in bold in the following sentence? 'He packed his things away sensibly.'
What word class is the word in bold in the following sentence? 'He packed his things away sensibly.'
verb
noun
adjective
Q3.Match the words ending in -able to their root word.
Match the words ending in -able to their root word.
Q4.What happens when the suffix -able is added to 'admire'?
What happens when the suffix -able is added to 'admire'?
Just add the suffix.
Keep the ‘e’ and just add the suffix.
Q5.What happens when the suffix -able is added to 'reason'?
What happens when the suffix -able is added to 'reason'?
Remove the ‘e’, then add the suffix.
Keep the ‘e’ and just add the suffix.
Q6.Match each word to its word class.
Match each word to its word class.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match each word to its word class.
Match each word to its word class.
Q2.Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'I have a terable cold.'
Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'I have a terable cold.'
Q3.Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'The witch was a horibel character.'
Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'The witch was a horibel character.'
Q4.Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'The mark on the carpet was clearly vizibell.'
Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'The mark on the carpet was clearly vizibell.'
Q5.Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'There has been a defenate increase in temperature this week.'
Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'There has been a defenate increase in temperature this week.'
Q6.Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'My teacher provided imediet feedback on the task.'
Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'My teacher provided imediet feedback on the task.'
