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New
Year 3

Spelling words with the suffixes -er and -est using alternative rules

I can change the meaning of a word by adding the suffixes -er and -est.

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New
New
Year 3

Spelling words with the suffixes -er and -est using alternative rules

I can change the meaning of a word by adding the suffixes -er and -est.

Link copied to clipboard

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. -er and "-est" are suffixes that can be used to change the meaning of a root word.
  2. For root words ending in 'y', you can remove the 'y' and add -ier or -iest.
  3. For root words with a short vowel sound, you can double the consonant and add the suffix -er or -est.
  4. How to spell the curriculum words popular and unpopular.

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

  • Vowel - a speech sound produced with an open mouth

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

Common misconception

Pupils often forget to double the consonant when adding the suffixes -er or -est.

Show non-examples when the consonant has not been doubled after a short vowel sound (hot-hotest). Explain how this alters our pronunciation.


To help you plan your year 3 english lesson on: Spelling words with the suffixes -er and -est using alternative rules, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

If you feel it is appropriate, you can mention that adding the suffix -est can create a superlative adjective. However, this will be covered in more depth in grammar lessons later in the curriculum.
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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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6 Questions

Q1.
Identify the adjective in this sentence: The red ball rolled under the car.
Correct answer: red
ball
rolled
car
Q2.
How many syllables are in the following words: nicest, darkest, kindest.
1
Correct answer: 2
3
4
Q3.
Match the word to the suffix it contains.
Correct Answer:hurrying,-ing

-ing

Correct Answer:played,-ed

-ed

Correct Answer:dresses,-es

-es

Correct Answer:flowers,-s

-s

Q4.
What happens when the suffix -er is added to a word such as 'long' or 'cold'?
Correct answer: Just add -er.
Remove the 'y' and add -ier.
Remove the 'e' and add -er.
Double the consonant and add -er.
Q5.
What happens when the suffix -est is added to a root word ending in 'e', such as 'safe' or 'brave'?
Just add -est.
Remove the 'y' and add -iest.
Correct answer: Remove the 'e' and add -est.
Double the consonant and add -est.
Q6.
Correct the spelling of the word in bold in this sentence: It was coldir this morning.
Correct Answer: colder

6 Questions

Q1.
What is the correct spelling of the word in bold in this sentence: The story was unpoppular with the children.
unpopuler
unpopulir
Correct answer: unpopular
unpoppular
Q2.
What happens when the suffix -est is added to a word such as 'early' or 'busy'?
Just add -est.
Correct answer: Remove the 'y' and add -ier or -iest.
Remove the 'e' and add -est.
Double the consonant after a short vowel, then add -est.
Q3.
What happens when the suffix -er is added to a word such as 'sad' or 'red'?
Just add -er.
Remove the 'y' and add -ier or -iest.
Remove the 'e' and add -er.
Correct answer: Double the consonant after a short vowel, then add -er.
Q4.
Match the words to the rules that apply when adding the suffix -er.
Correct Answer:long - longer,Just add -er.

Just add -er.

Correct Answer:nice - nicer,Remove the 'e', add -er.

Remove the 'e', add -er.

Correct Answer:busy - busier,Remove the 'y' and add -ier or -iest.

Remove the 'y' and add -ier or -iest.

Correct Answer:hot - hotter,Double the consonant after a short vowel, then add -er.

Double the consonant after a short vowel, then add -er.

Q5.
Match the words to the rules that apply when adding the suffix -est.
Correct Answer:tall - tallest,Just add -est.

Just add -est.

Correct Answer:wise - wisest,Remove the 'e', add -est.

Remove the 'e', add -est.

Correct Answer:stormy - stormiest,Remove the 'y' and add -ier or -iest.

Remove the 'y' and add -ier or -iest.

Correct Answer:angry - angriest,Double the consonant after a short vowel, then add -est.

Double the consonant after a short vowel, then add -est.

Q6.
Correct the spelling of the word in this sentence: Pizza is always populer at parties.
Correct Answer: popular

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