Suffix Snapshot Reference Sheet
Suffix Quick Reference
Root Word + Ending
Endings change meaning or grammar
Vowel Suffixes
Starts with: a, e, i, o, u, or y
-able
washable
-ed
jumped
-es
dishes
-ible
flexible
-ive
active
-ous
famous
-y
rainy
Check Root May drop silent 'e' or double final letter
Consonant Suffixes
Starts with a consonant
-ful
helpful
-less
careless
-ly
slowly
-ness
kindness
-s
cats
3 Sounds of -ed
Past Action
The Extra Syllable Rule
If the root word ends in t or d, add an extra syllable!
/id/ +1 Syllable
planted
melted
/t/ Quiet Sound
jumped
walked
/d/ Voiced Sound
played
rained
Touch throat: /d/ vibrates, /t/ does not
Adding -s vs. -es
Plural or Action
Add -es when root ends in: Hissing Sound
ch sh s ss x z
dishes
boxes
buzzes
Add -s to all other words:
If it does not end in ch, sh, s, ss, x, or z:
cats
dogs
books
-es adds an easy-to-say extra vowel sound
Root words hold the base meaning. Suffixes attach to the end.
Vowel = Sky Blue • Consonant = Emerald Green