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Lesson 3 of 12
  • Year 3

Spelling words with the suffix "-ly"

I can change adjectives into adverbs by adding the suffix -ly.

Lesson 3 of 12
New
New
  • Year 3

Spelling words with the suffix "-ly"

I can change adjectives into adverbs by adding the suffix -ly.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. -ly is a suffix that can be used to create adverbs. For most words just add -ly.
  2. For words ending in 'ic' add -ally.
  3. For two syllablle root words ending in 'y', remove the 'y', add -ily.
  4. For root words ending in 'le', remove the 'le', add -ly.
  5. How to spell the curriculum word: build.

Keywords

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

  • Adverb - describes a verb

  • Adjective - describes a noun

  • Verb - a doing or being word

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

Common misconception

Children write words like 'basically' how they sound: 'basicly'.

Show the root words ending in 'ic' and how -ally is added. Say the words how they are spelt to help remember.


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

There are three addtional exceptions that you can share with your class if appropriate: wholly, duly and truly. Only share exceptions to the rules if pupils are secure on the key spelling patterns.
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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

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the word to the suffix it contains.

Correct Answer:slowly,-ly

-ly

Correct Answer:sunny,-y

-y

Correct Answer:tallest,-est

-est

Correct Answer:funnier,-er

-er

Q2.
What rule is used when 'stone' becomes 'stony' when adding the suffix -y?

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

Q3.
What rule is used when 'fog' becomes 'foggy'?

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

Q4.
Match the words to the rules that apply when adding the suffix -y.

Correct Answer:cloud - cloudy,Just add -y.

Just add -y.

Correct Answer:smoke - smoky,Remove the ‘e’, add -y.

Remove the ‘e’, add -y.

Correct Answer:mud - muddy,Double the consonant, add -y.

Double the consonant, add -y.

Q5.
Choose the correct spelling of the word in bold in this sentence: It is too noizy in here!

noisey
Correct answer: noisy
noizy
noizey

Q6.
Choose the correct spelling of the word in bold in this sentence: Be careful on the slipy stairs.

slippey
Correct answer: slippy
slipey
slipy

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Select the adverb in this sentence: The cat walks slowly.

the
cat
walks
Correct answer: slowly

Q2.
What rule is used when 'quick' becomes 'quickly' when adding the suffix -ly?

Correct answer: Just add -ly.
Remove the ‘e’, add -ly.
Remove the ‘y’, add -ily.
Add -ally.

Q3.
What rule is used when 'simple' becomes 'simply' when adding the suffix -ly?

Just add -ly.
Correct answer: Remove the ‘e’, add -ly.
Remove the ‘y’, add -ily.
Add -ally.

Q4.
What rule is used when 'happy' becomes 'happily' when adding the suffix -ly?

Just add -ly.
Remove the ‘e’, add -ly.
Correct answer: Remove the ‘y’, add -ily.
Add -ally.

Q5.
What rule is used when 'basic' becomes 'basically' when adding the suffix -ly?

Just add -ly.
Remove the ‘e’, add -ly.
Remove the ‘y’, add -ily.
Correct answer: Add -ally.

Q6.
Correct the spelling of the word in bold in this sentence: I would like to bild a bridge.

Correct Answer: build