Build Morphemic Knowledge with Suffix List Words

A suffix is a group of letters that can be placed at the end of a root word to change its meaning. Some common prefixes include -er (meaning ‘performing an action’), -ed (past tense) and -ful (meaning ‘characterised by’).    

This list of 50 words containing suffixes has been compiled to assist you in implementing your phonics program in your classroom. It includes words that end with the following prefixes:

• -s (as in pens)
• -es (as in boxes)
• -ing (as in helping)
• -ed (as in jumped)
• -er (as in bigger)
• -ful (as in painful).

Multiple Applications for This Suffixes Word List

This list of words containing suffixes can be used in numerous ways to support the diverse needs of your learners during your literacy sessions. Here are some of our suggestions:

Research the etymology

Many words in English come from Greek and Latin roots (hence the term ‘root word’). Project the word list onto your interactive whiteboard, and choose some words to explore in greater detail. For instance, the word  ‘teach’ comes from an old English word meaning to ‘show or point out’. Coupled with the suffix -er (meaning ‘performing an action’), the word literally means ‘the act of showing’. Exploring the meetings of root words and the suffixes attached to them is a highly effective way of deepening students’ understanding of our language and how it works. Why not assign particular list words to the students, have them research the etymology of the words, then report back to the rest of the class?  

Individual practice

Send the lists home so your students can revise decoding (reading) and encoding (spelling) the words on the list. Be sure to include only words containing letter-sound correspondences you have already addressed in class.

Word builder challenge

Choose a root word from the list without the suffix, e.g. teach. Challenge the students to make as many new words as they can by adding suffixes to the root word, e.g. teaches, teaching, teacher. Play in groups to see which group can come up with the most new words!

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