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Using the suffixes -cial and -tial

Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can spell words using the suffixes -cial and -tial using spelling rules and exceptions.

Key learning points

  1. It is common to see a ‘c’ or a ‘t’ before the suffix -ial.
  2. The /shul/ ending can be spelt -cial or -tial.
  3. If the letter before the /shul/ ending is a consonant, -tial is usually used.
  4. If the letter before the /shul/ ending is a vowel, -cial is usually used.
  5. How to spell the curriculum words: separate, popular and opposite.

Keywords

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

  • Vowel - a speech sound produced with an open mouth

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

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

Common misconception

The wrong vowels are used in curriculum words: separate, popular and opposite.

Saying the words slowly 'how they are spelt' is a useful strategy to remember these tricky spellings, e.g. sep -ar -ate.

Teacher tip

Whilst exceptions to the rule are introduced in the lesson, focus on the words that follow the rules primarily, as there is time in upper KS2 to focus on exceptions.

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.
Match each word to the representation of the 'sh' sound it contains.

Correct Answer:shop,sh

sh

Correct Answer:portion,ti

ti

Correct Answer:special,ci

ci

Q2.
The -cial spelling of /shul/ is usually used if the letter before the /shul/ ending is a ...

consonant.
Correct answer: vowel.
double letter.

Q3.
The -tial spelling of /shul/ is usually used if the letter before the /shul/ ending is a ...

Correct answer: consonant.
vowel.
double letter.

Q4.
Choose the correct spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'My birthday is a speshul day.'

spetial
speshul
Correct answer: special

Q5.
Choose the correct spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'This letter is conffidenshul because nobody else can read it.'

confidenshul
confidensial
confidencial
Correct answer: confidential

Q6.
Write the correct spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'Fish can breev under water.'

Correct Answer: breathe

6 Questions

Q1.
If the letter before the /shul/ ending is a vowel, -cial is usually used, like in 'social'. Which word is an exception to this rule?

social
Correct answer: initial
crucial
essential

Q2.
If the letter before the /shul/ ending is a consonant, -tial is usually used, like in 'confidential'. Which word is an exception to this rule?

essential
social
torrential
Correct answer: financial

Q3.
Choose the correct spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'It was an ofishul document from the bank.'

offitial
oficial
Correct answer: official

Q4.
Choose the correct spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'There was a parrshul closure of the park.'

parshal
Correct answer: partial
parcial

Q5.
Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'Please use sepiret spoons for the meat and vegetables.'

Correct Answer: separate

Q6.
Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'The hall is oposit the office.'

Correct Answer: opposite

To help you plan your 4 English lesson on: Using the suffixes -cial and -tial, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...