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      Adding '-es' to verbs ending in 'y'

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can add the suffix -es to verbs that end in 'y'.

      Key learning points

      1. A suffix is a letter or group of letters at the end of a word which creates another word.
      2. The 'y' is changed to 'i' before '-es' is added.
      3. Verbs agree with the noun they are paired with.

      Keywords

      • Verb - a doing or a being word

      • Suffix - a letter or group of letters added to the end of a word to change its meaning

      Common misconception

      Children may assume the rule applies to all verbs with no exceptions.

      Remind children that rules are for most spellings, but not all. There are exceptions to the taught rule such as I play - She plays.

      Teacher tip

      Put many of the verbs into clauses and sentences and say them aloud to encourage children to identify what 'sounds' right, when adapting verbs. Also, make connections between other spelling patterns, when the 'y' is replaced with an 'i'.

      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.
      Choose the correct spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: They had there turn on the swings.

      Correct answer: their
      thier
      there
      ther

      Q2.
      Select the verbs.

      Correct answer: swimming
      dog
      Correct answer: carry
      man
      Correct answer: jump

      Q3.
      Select the words containing the suffix -es.

      Correct answer: boxes
      less
      jumps
      Correct answer: babies

      Q4.
      Select the verb that makes sense in this sentence: She __________ to the park everyday.

      Correct answer: walks
      walk
      walking

      Q5.
      Select the verb that makes sense in this sentence: He __________ when he falls over.

      Correct answer: cries
      cry
      crying

      Q6.
      Choose the correct spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: There were two baybees in the buggy.

      babys
      babyes
      Correct answer: babies

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Choose the correct spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: I have lessons at scool.

      Correct answer: school
      skool
      scool

      Q2.
      Choose the correct spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: I drink water evree day.

      evree
      Correct answer: every
      evry

      Q3.
      Select the verb that makes sense in this sentence: He __________ a big bag to school every day.

      carry
      Correct answer: carries
      carrying

      Q4.
      Choose the correct spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: My mum worrys when I am home late.

      worryes
      Correct answer: worries
      worrys

      Q5.
      Choose the correct spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: He trysvery hard.

      Correct answer: tries
      trys
      tryes

      Q6.
      Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: He crys when he misses his friends.

      Correct Answer: cries

      To help you plan your 2 English lesson on: Adding '-es' to verbs ending in 'y', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...