---
title: "Suffixes"
description: "Apply suffix spelling rules that require changes to the root word: dropping final -e before vowel suffixes, changing -y to -i, doubling final consonants in short-vowel words; use suffixes -ment, -ness"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/suffixes-mt_FYK8m6eHQm
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/suffixes-mt_FYK8m6eHQm.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# Suffixes

Apply suffix spelling rules that require changes to the root word: dropping final -e before vowel suffixes, changing -y to -i, doubling final consonants in short-vowel words; use suffixes -ment, -ness, -ful, -less, -ly

Subject: English · Area: Spelling & Word Study · Ages 6 to 7
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/suffixes-mt_FYK8m6eHQm

## Ready when they can

- Spell 'hoping' (drop e), 'cried' (y to i), 'running' (double consonant) applying the correct rule
- Add -ful, -less, -ness, -ly correctly: 'careful', 'hopeless', 'sadness', 'slowly'
- Identify which suffix rule to apply to a given root word and explain why

## Lesson: Suffixes

A suffix is an ending you add to a word, like -ing, -ed, -ful, or -ly. The word before you add the suffix is called the root word. Sometimes you just add the suffix straight on. Other times, you need to change the root word a little first.

*(drawing: Hope ends in a silent e. Drop the e, then add -ing: hoping.)*

**Example.** Mia cried when she dropped her ice cream. Cry ends in a y after a consonant, so we change the y to i before adding -ed: cry becomes cried.

**Example.** Sam was running across the yard. Run has one short vowel and ends in one consonant, so we double the last letter before adding -ing: run becomes running.

Some suffixes just add straight onto the word, with no changes at all: care becomes careful, hope becomes hopeless, sad becomes sadness, and slow becomes slowly.

**Recap.** Before you add a suffix, check the root word: drop the e, change y to i, or double the last letter, then add on.

## Practice

24 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Segmenting words into sounds](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/segmenting-words-into-sounds-mt_BhYJZUsErp)
- [Split Digraphs and Magic E](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/split-digraphs-and-magic-e-mt_C7abt7pRr6)
- [Phonics Vocabulary](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/phonics-vocabulary-mt_EqXlZfB4jp)
- [Spelling Simple Suffixes](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/spelling-simple-suffixes-mt_QdMMLRYWhn)

## Opens up

- [Prefixes (age 7+)](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/prefixes-age-7-mt_T6nrrf2K43)
- [Suffixes (age 7+)](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/suffixes-age-7-mt_tHtjfjjFrl)
- [Root Words & Inflections](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/root-words-and-inflections-mt_UEe3MC5RZc)