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Year 5

Spelling words with the suffix -able

I can spell words using the suffix -able.

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New
New
Year 5

Spelling words with the suffix -able

I can spell words using the suffix -able.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Most words in English with the -able or -ible suffix will use -able.
  2. Removing the -able suffix generally leaves a recognisable word, e.g. agreeable - agree.
  3. Words in word families using the suffixes -ation, -able and -ably are connected in spelling and meaning.
  4. If the root word ends in ‘ce’ or ‘ge’, keep the ‘e’ before adding -able.
  5. How to spell the curriculum words: symbol, system and identity.

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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Starter quiz

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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.
What happens when the suffix -al is added to the root word 'nature'?
Just add the suffix.
Correct answer: Remove the ‘e’, then add the suffix.
Keep the ‘e’ and just add the suffix.
Q5.
What happens when the suffix -al is added to the root word 'person'?
Correct answer: Just add the suffix.
Remove the ‘e’, then add the suffix.
Keep the ‘e’ and just add the suffix.
Q6.
Identify the words with a 'soft g' sound.
Correct answer: gem
goal
Correct answer: bridge
Correct answer: courage
wagged

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Select the true statements to complete this 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 reesnible 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