New
New
Year 6

Spelling words with the -able suffix

I can spell words with the suffix -able and -ably.

New
New
Year 6

Spelling words with the -able suffix

I can spell words with the suffix -able and -ably.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The -able and -ably endings are the most common spellings for this sound and are therefore the best bet.
  2. Removing the -able suffix generally leaves a recognisable word, e.g. understand - understandable
  3. Words in word families using the suffixes -ation, -able and -ably are connected in spelling and meaning.
  4. Drop the final -e of the root word before adding the suffix -able unless the words end in -ce or -ge
  5. How to spell the curriculum words: privilege, system.

Common misconception

Children mix up the -ible and -able spellings.

Use the rules shown in the lesson: Is there is a recognisable root word without the ending? Is this a modern word? Is there a related word ending in -ation? These will all help to identify the -able spelling.

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

  • Adjective - describes a noun

  • Adverb - describes a verb

Allow pupils the opportunity to apply the different versions of a word in sentences orally to help them identify what 'sounds right'. Use my turn, your turn, to model simple sentences to apply any unfamiliar vocabulary correctly.
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).

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6 Questions

Q1.
What word class is the word in bold in the following sentence: 'This cat is adorable.'
verb
noun
Correct answer: adjective
adverb
Q2.
What word class is the word in bold in the following sentence: 'The kitten purred adorably.'
verb
noun
adjective
Correct answer: adverb
Q3.
Match the words ending in -able to their root word.
Correct Answer:enjoyable,enjoy

enjoy

Correct Answer:sustainable,sustain

sustain

Correct Answer:reliable,rely

rely

Q4.
Select the correct spelling.
tollerant
Correct answer: tolerant
tolerent
tollerent
Q5.
Select the correct spelling.
expectent
expectnt
Correct answer: expectant
expektant
Q6.
Identify the words with a 'soft g' sound.
Correct answer: gem
goal
Correct answer: bridge
Correct answer: courage
wagged

6 Questions

Q1.
Select the true statements that complete the following sentence: Words using the -able suffix ...
Correct answer: usually have a root word you can recognise.
do not usually have a recognisable root.
Correct answer: are more modern words.
are very old words.
Q2.
Match the root words to the words ending in -able.
Correct Answer:admire,admirable

admirable

Correct Answer:manage,manageable

manageable

Correct Answer:comfort,comfortable

comfortable

Q3.
Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'This toy is a reasonible price.'
Correct Answer: reasonable
Q4.
Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'The weather is chanjible today.'
Correct Answer: changeable
Q5.
Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'You have proved yourself to be very relyible.'
Correct Answer: reliable
Q6.
Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'The dove is a cymbal of peace.'
Correct Answer: symbol

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