New
New
Year 6

Forming plural nouns using the suffix -es and -ves

I can apply spelling rules to spell plural nouns that end in the suffix -es and -ves.

New
New
Year 6

Forming plural nouns using the suffix -es and -ves

I can apply spelling rules to spell plural nouns that end in the suffix -es and -ves.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. If the root word ends in a ‘sh’, ‘ch’, ‘ss’ or ‘x’, then add the suffix -es.
  2. If the root word ends in an ‘o’, it can use -s or -es.
  3. If the root word ends in a ‘f’ or ‘fe’, then the ‘f’ or 'fe' is replaced by ‘v’ before adding the suffix -es.
  4. How to spell curriculum words: programme and identity

Keywords

  • Suffix - a letter or group of letters added to the end of a root word

  • Noun - a naming word for people, places and things

  • Singular - only one

  • Plural - more than one

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

Common misconception

Pupils often incorrectly use an apostrophe when they hear an 's' at the end of the word.

Remind pupils of the rules for using apostrophes. Only use an apostrophe if you can name and recognise the rule - for omission or possession.

Using a range of word cards with plural nouns written on them, ask pupils to group the words according to their spelling patterns and explain their reasoning aloud.
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), 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.
What happens when the noun 'bay' becomes plural?
Correct answer: Just add -s.
Just add -es.
Remove the 'y', add -ies.
Q2.
What happens when the noun 'puppy' becomes plural?
Just add -s.
Just add -es.
Correct answer: Remove the 'y', add -ies.
Q3.
What happens when the noun 'house' becomes plural?
Correct answer: Just add -s.
Just add -es.
Remove the 'y', add -ies.
Q4.
Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the sentence. There were several baybees in the park.
Correct Answer: babies
Q5.
Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the sentence. The munkees are screeching so loudly.
Correct Answer: monkeys
Q6.
Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the sentence. I went to three birthday partees at the weekend.
Correct Answer: parties

6 Questions

Q1.
When creating plural nouns, you add the suffix -es to root words ending in which letters?
Correct answer: x
f
y
Correct answer: ss or s
Correct answer: ch or sh
Q2.
Match the nouns to the rules they demonstrate when becoming plural.
Correct Answer:dress - dresses,Just add -es.

Just add -es.

Correct Answer:festivity - festivities,Remove the ‘y’, add -ies

Remove the ‘y’, add -ies

Correct Answer:loaf - loaves,Remove ‘f’ or ‘fe’, add -ves

Remove ‘f’ or ‘fe’, add -ves

Q3.
Write the correct spelling of the word in bold in the sentence. She loves to have tomartos with her salad.
Correct Answer: tomatoes
Q4.
Write the correct spelling of the word in bold in the sentence. There are active vulkanose in various different countries.
Correct Answer: volcanoes
Q5.
Write the correct spelling of the word in bold in the sentence. There was a famous band of theevs in the land.
Correct Answer: thieves
Q6.
Write the correct spelling of the word in bold in the sentence. Please could you pass the nifves down the table.
Correct Answer: knives

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