![]() |
Remember, a suffix is a letter or group of letters added to the end of a root word to change its meaning. A vowel suffix is a suffix that begins with a vowel. |
![]() |
If you are adding a vowel suffix to a word that ends in e, drop the e. For example: |
![]() |
![]() |
|||
|
||||
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
A consonant suffix is a suffix that begins with a consonant. If you are adding a consonant suffix to a word that ends in e, you do not need to drop the e. For example: |
![]() |
![]() |
|||
|
||||
![]() |
![]() |
The e at the end of words makes the first vowel sound long. For example, the e in the word hope stops it from sounding like the word hop.
If we removed the e when adding a consonant suffix, there would be nothing to do the important job of making the long vowel sound.
Let’s try it by adding the suffix -less:
If we take away the e, we would pronounce our new word hop-less. This has a very different meaning to the word hope-less!
Can you use the above rule to work out when you need to drop the e and when you don’t?
For every spelling rule, there are some rulebreakers.
You have not completed Learn the Words activities for the word list on this page.
The Spellzone interactive course is intended to be used online and may not be printed.
"I have just subscribed and look forward to continuing to use Spellzone. I have been really impressed with the program during the trial period and the students gave very positive feedback. Many thanks."
Teacher, International School, Geneva