Study Hub

Study Guides

This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.

Back to Study HubBrowse Year 4 English Guides

Year 4 - English

Investigating compound words

Suffixes, etymology and homophones

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils learn spelling and grammar conventions associated with more suffixes like -ic, -ary and -ery. Pupils learn how the spelling of a word can relate to its etymological origin and its meaning. They also complete further investigations of compound words.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to spell compound words.

Key Notes

  • Compound words are two or three existing words that join together to make one word.
  • Compound words are most often nouns.
  • Compound words have a new meaning, which is often linked to the meaning of the root word.
  • How to spell the curriculum words: enough, naughty and forwards.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • noun: a naming word for people, places or things
  • compound word: two or more words joined together

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Pupils might assume any combination of words they create forms a compound word.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

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

Compound words are two or three existing words that join together to make one word. Compound words are most often nouns.

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

a naming word for people, places or things.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Pupils might assume any combination of words they create forms a compound word. Correction: Look at some non-examples such as 'starwhere' and 'somefish' to teach them that not every combination makes a compound word.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 4 English guide library.