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      Using and spelling suffixes: -er

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can spell words using the suffix -er.

      Key learning points

      1. A suffix is a letter or group of letters at the end of a word which creates another word.
      2. Adding '-er' creates an extra syllable to the word.
      3. If the adjective ends in two consonant letters, the ending is simply added on.
      4. If the root word ends in a consonant + 'y', the 'y' is changed to 'i' before the suffix is added.
      5. If the root word ends in a consonant + 'e', the 'e' is removed before the suffix is added.

      Keywords

      • Adjective - describes a noun

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

      • Syllable - a single sound or beat in a word that contains a vowel sound

      • Consonant - a sound that is made by blocking air in the mouth with the teeth, tongue, lips or palate

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

      Common misconception

      Pupils may not see the connections between words with the same root and mis-spell them.

      Encourage pupils to use the root word when spelling the new word. 'Happy' is connected to 'happier'. They both have a double 'p'.

      Teacher tip

      Most of the words explored in the lesson are comparative adjectives. Say them aloud in sentences to demonstrate how they describe the noun and help us to compare. You can adapt the words based on your other learning, but check they match the rules.

      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.
      Select the suffixes.

      Correct answer: -ed
      un-
      Correct answer: -ing
      bi-

      Q2.
      Select all the words containing the suffix -ed.

      Correct answer: hopped
      Correct answer: smiled
      ate
      slowly
      Correct answer: asked

      Q3.
      What happens when the suffix -ed is added to a root word ending in a 'y' such as 'cry' or 'hurry'?

      Just add -ed.
      Correct answer: Remove the ‘y’ and add -ied.
      Remove the ‘e’ and add -ed.
      Double the consonant and add -ed.

      Q4.
      Match the words to the rule that applies when the suffix -ed is added.

      Correct Answer:ask - asked,Just add -ed.

      Just add -ed.

      Correct Answer:carry - carried,Remove the ‘y’ and add -ied.

      Remove the ‘y’ and add -ied.

      Correct Answer:bake - baked,Remove the ‘e’ and add -ed.

      Remove the ‘e’ and add -ed.

      Correct Answer:skip - skipped,Double the consonant and add -ed.

      Double the consonant and add -ed.

      Q5.
      Choose the correct spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: I skipt across the playground at breaktime.

      skiped
      Correct answer: skipped
      skippt
      skipd

      Q6.
      Choose the correct spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: I tride to help my friend find their bag.

      tryed
      tride
      Correct answer: tried
      tryd

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Select the suffixes.

      Correct answer: -er
      un-
      Correct answer: -ed
      pre-

      Q2.
      What happens when the suffix -er is added to a root word ending in 'y', such as 'happy' or 'easy'?

      Just add -er.
      Correct answer: Remove the ‘y’ and add -ier.
      Remove the ‘e’ and add -er.
      Double the consonant and add -er.

      Q3.
      What happens when the suffix -er is added to a root word ending in 'e', such as 'wise' or 'fine'?

      Just add -er.
      Remove the ‘y’ and add -ier.
      Correct answer: Remove the ‘e’ and add -er.
      Double the consonant and add -er.

      Q4.
      Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: He felt hapyer after his friend arrived.

      hapyer
      Correct answer: happier
      happyer

      Q5.
      Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: It was hotir in the middle of the day when the sun was bright.

      Correct Answer: hotter

      Q6.
      Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: This joke was funyer than the last one she heard.

      Correct Answer: funnier

      To help you plan your 2 English lesson on: Using and spelling suffixes: -er, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...