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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...