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      Spelling adjectives with the suffix "-y"

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can change nouns to adjectives by adding the suffix -y.

      Key learning points

      1. -y is a suffix that can be used to change some nouns into adjectives.
      2. For some root words you can just add the suffix "-y".
      3. For root words ending in 'e', you remove the 'e' and just add -y.
      4. For root words with a short vowel sound, you double the consonant and add -y.
      5. How to spell the curriculum word: arrive.

      Keywords

      • Noun - a naming word for people, places or things

      • Adjective - describes a noun

      • 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

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

      Common misconception

      Pupils keep the 'e' when adding -y to words ending in 'e', writing 'slimey' or 'stoney'.

      Focus on the rule, remove the 'e' and add -y, and make links to other suffixes that use the same pattern.

      Teacher tip

      Adapt the words to incorporate adjectives that could be relevant to your writing lessons.

      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 adjective in the following sentence: 'The brown dog ate the food.'

      Correct answer: brown
      dog
      ate
      food

      Q2.
      Select the adjectives in the following sentence: 'The sky is cloudy and dark.'

      sky
      is
      Correct answer: cloudy
      Correct answer: dark

      Q3.
      Match the word to the suffix it contains.

      Correct Answer:running,-ing
      Correct Answer:fastest,-est
      Correct Answer:greener,-er

      Q4.
      What happens when the suffix -ed is added to 'smile'?

      Just add -ed.
      Correct answer: Remove the 'e', add -ed.
      Remove the 'y', add -ed.

      Q5.
      What happens when the suffix -ing is added to 'run'?

      Just add -ing.
      Remove the 'e', add -ing.
      Keep the 'y', add -ing.
      Correct answer: Double the consonant, add -ing.

      Q6.
      Select the words with a short vowel sound.

      mood
      Correct answer: sun
      cheek
      Correct answer: slip

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What rule is used when 'thirst' becomes 'thirsty'?

      Correct answer: Just add -y.
      Remove the ‘e’, add -y.
      Double the consonant, add -y.

      Q2.
      What rule is used when 'noise' becomes 'noisy'?

      Just add -y.
      Correct answer: Remove the ‘e’, add -y.
      Double the consonant, add -y.

      Q3.
      What rule is used when 'chat' becomes 'chatty'?

      Just add -y.
      Remove the ‘e’, add -y.
      Correct answer: Double the consonant, add -y.

      Q4.
      Match each word to the rule that applies when adding the suffix -y to it.

      Correct Answer:wind - windy,Just add -y.
      Correct Answer:shine - shiny,Remove the ‘e’, add -y.
      Correct Answer:fun - funny,Double the consonant, add -y.

      Q5.
      Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'The child was quite cheacky that day.'

      Correct Answer: cheeky

      Q6.
      Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'What time will you urive home?'

      Correct Answer: arrive

      To help you plan your 3 English lesson on: Spelling adjectives with the suffix "-y", download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...