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Academy11+

11+ English · Topic explained

Suffixes

Why is it "hopping" but "hoping"?

The big idea

A suffix is added to the end of a word, often changing its job, and sometimes the root's spelling.

Picture it

A suffix is a tail clipped onto the end of a word: it changes the word's job.

Key words

suffix
Letters added to the end of a word: -ful, -ness, -ing, -ed, -ment.
vowel suffix
A suffix that starts with a vowel: -ing, -ed, -er, -able.
consonant suffix
A suffix that starts with a consonant: -ful, -ness, -ly, -ment.

Worked examples

  1. 1Warm-up

    help + ful = helpful

    • The suffix -ful has only one l.
  2. 211+ standard

    happy + ness = happiness

    • A consonant then y: change the y to i.
    • happy → happiness, carry → carried.
  3. 311+ standard

    hope + ing = hoping hope + ful = hopeful

    • Drop the final e before a vowel suffix (-ing).
    • Keep it before a consonant suffix (-ful).
  4. 411+ standard

    hop + ing = hopping swim + ing = swimming

    • One short vowel + one consonant at the end: double the consonant before a vowel suffix.

The common mistake

The mistake

"carefull", "beautifull"

Instead

careful, beautiful

Why: The word full has two l's, but the suffix -ful has only one.

Where it comes up in the 11+

SPaG and cloze questions ask you to add a suffix to change a word's class, and to spell the new word correctly.

The video

Video coming soon

We're making a short video that explains suffixes step by step. Until then, everything it covers is on this page.

Free printable

Suffixes worksheet

Practice questions on this topic to print and try on paper, at home or on the way to school.

Download the worksheet (PDF)

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Quick quiz

Have a go first, then tap to see the answer.

  1. 1. Add -ing to "swim".

    • swiming
    • swimming
    • swimeing
    Show the answer

    swimming

    Short vowel + one consonant: double the m.

  2. 2. Add -ness to "lazy".

    • lazyness
    • laziness
    • lazness
    Show the answer

    laziness

    Consonant then y: change the y to i.

  3. 3. Which suffix turns "enjoy" into a noun?

    • -ful
    • -ment
    • -ly
    • -ed
    Show the answer

    -ment

    enjoyment is a noun. (A vowel before y: keep the y.)