Turning adjectives into nouns using the suffixes -ity and -ness
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can spell words using the suffixes -ity and -ness.
Key learning points
- The suffixes -ity and -ness turns adjectives into abstract nouns.
- When a word ends in a consonant, just add the suffix -ity; when it ends in ‘e’, remove the ‘e’, then add -ity.
- There are other patterns and irregular words, like ‘ability’ and ‘simplicity’.
- For most words, just add the suffix -ness; when a word ends in ‘y’, replace the ‘y’ with ‘i’, then add the suffix -ness.
- How to spell the curriculum words: business and opportunity.
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
Noun - a naming word for a person, place or thing
Abstract noun - a type of noun that names an idea or quality that cannot be seen
Common misconception
Pupils think that all nouns are a person, place or thing that you can touch.
Show a range of different nouns, including common and abstract nouns. Show that they can be described with an adjective.
Teacher tip
To help identify word class, put the word into a sentence. This makes it easier to recognise the word's function in the sentence and then determine the word class. Use simple sentences to avoid cognitive overload.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the words to their root words.
fear
happy
enjoy
Q2.Select the nouns.
Q3.Match the word to the suffix it contains.
-ment
-ness
-ous
-er
Q4.Select the adjective from the following sentence: 'The happy child skipped home.'
Q5.Select the adjective from the following sentence: 'The cold ice stung my skin.'
Q6.Match the word to the suffix it contains.
-tion
-ness
-ity
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.The words 'happiness', 'curiosity' and 'simplicity' are what type of noun?
Q2.Match the root word to the noun formed with the suffix -ity or -ness.
activity
generosity
electricity
kindness
laziness
Q3.Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'I love virtual reyalytee.'
Q4.Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'I was put off by their hostillitee.'
Q5.Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'Your jenrositee is overwhelming.'
Q6.Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'Please check the stubillitee of the equipment before I climb on it.'
To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Turning adjectives into nouns using the suffixes -ity and -ness, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Turning adjectives into nouns using the suffixes -ity and -ness, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 English lessons from the Verb, adjective and noun suffixes unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.