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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.

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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.

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

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.


To help you plan your year 5 english lesson on: Spelling words with the suffix -able, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

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.
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This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), 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 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
tick

enjoy

Correct Answer:sustainable,sustain
tick

sustain

Correct Answer:reliable,rely
tick

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

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
tick

admirable

Correct Answer:manage,manageable
tick

manageable

Correct Answer:comfort,comfortable
tick

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

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