English // Spelling & Word Study

Suffixes (age 7+)

Spell words using productive suffixes (-ation, -ly, -ous) and less common sound-spelling correspondences (/ɪ/ as y, /ʌ/ as ou, endings sounding like /ʒə/, /tʃə/, /ʒən/, /ʃən/) introduced in the Year 3-4 programme

Ages
7 to 9
Type
Method
Builds on
2 topics
Leads to
4 topics
Standards
10 codes

Quick check

Can the learner spell words with endings like "-tion," "-ous," or "-ly" correctly — for example, "nation," "famous," or "quietly" — without needing to look them up?

Ask this to see whether the topic is secure.

Topic // Mastery

What mastery looks like

What a learner can do once this topic is secure.
  • Spell words with suffixes -ation (e.g., information, sensation), -ly (e.g., sadly, gently, happily), and -ous (e.g., famous, enormous, various)
  • Spell words with less common vowel patterns: /ɪ/ as y (e.g., myth, gym), /ʌ/ as ou (e.g., young, touch, double)
  • Spell words with endings /ʒə/ as -sure (e.g., measure, treasure), /tʃə/ as -ture (e.g., creature, furniture), /ʒən/ as -sion (e.g., division, television)

Topic // Map

Where this fits

What to learn first and what this topic opens up, with the reason for each link. Required links come first.
  • RequiredMust come first
  • HelpfulHelps, but not essential

Before this

2 topics
  • SuffixesRequired

    Spelling & Word Study // Ages 6 to 7

    Y3 suffix/sound-spelling builds directly on Y2 suffix rules with root changes

  • Spelling Verb EndingsHelpful

    Spelling & Word Study // Ages 5 to 6

    Basic suffix spelling from Y1 provides foundation

You are here

Suffixes (age 7+)

Ages 7 to 9 // Method

Leads to

4 topics
  • Spellings from Greek, French and LatinRequired

    Spelling & Word Study // Ages 8 to 10

    Etymological spelling patterns extend the suffix and sound-spelling work from Y3

  • Converting Words into VerbsRequired

    Grammar & Punctuation // Ages 9 to 10

    Converting word class via suffixes (-ate, -ise, -ify) requires secure suffix knowledge from the Y3-4 suffix programme

  • Spelling -able & -ibleRequired

    Spelling & Word Study // Ages 9 to 10

    The -able/-ible and -ably/-ibly patterns build directly on suffix knowledge from the Y3-4 programme

  • Suffixes (age 9+)Required

    Spelling & Word Study // Ages 9 to 10

    Latin/French suffix spelling patterns (-cious/-tious, -cial/-tial, -ant/-ance/-ent/-ence) build on Y3-4 suffix programme knowledge

Topic // Standards

Curriculum standards

Codes for the curriculum statements this topic maps to. Each publisher owns its standard text.
The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document
Eng_App1_Sp_Y34_01Eng_App1_Sp_Y34_02Eng_App1_Sp_Y34_03Eng_App1_Sp_Y34_05Eng_App1_Sp_Y34_06Eng_App1_Sp_Y34_07Eng_App1_Sp_Y34_08Eng_App1_Sp_Y34_09Eng_App1_Sp_Y34_10Eng_LKS2_Write_Trans_Spell_1

English // Spelling & Word Study

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