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Year 4 - English

Using the suffixes -cial and -tial

Noun and adjective suffixes

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils learn spelling and grammar conventions associated with certain noun and adjective suffixes like -ity, -ness, -tion, -sion, -ssion, -cian, -cial and -tial. Pupils review how the addition of a suffix can affect the grammar of a word, in most cases by changing its word class.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to spell words using the suffixes -cial and -tial using spelling rules and exceptions.

Key Notes

  • It is common to see a 'c' or a 't' before the suffix -ial.
  • The /shul/ ending can be spelt -cial or -tial.
  • If the letter before the /shul/ ending is a consonant, -tial is usually used.
  • If the letter before the /shul/ ending is a vowel, -cial is usually used.
  • How to spell the curriculum words: separate, popular and opposite.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • consonant: a sound that is made by blocking air in the mouth with the teeth, tongue, lips or palate
  • vowel: a speech sound produced with an open mouth
  • root word: the base word from which other words are formed often by adding prefixes or suffixes
  • suffix: a letter or group of letters added to the end of a word to change its meaning

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • The wrong vowels are used in curriculum words: separate, popular and opposite.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.

It is common to see a 'c' or a 't' before the suffix -ial. The /shul/ ending can be spelt -cial or -tial.

2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'consonant'

a sound that is made by blocking air in the mouth with the teeth, tongue, lips or palate.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: The wrong vowels are used in curriculum words: separate, popular and opposite. Correction: Saying the words slowly 'how they are spelt' is a useful strategy to remember these tricky spellings, e.g. sep -ar -ate.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 4 English guide library.