Year 4 - English
Spelling words with the suffix -ous, including -ious and -eous
Verb and adjective suffixes
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils learn spelling and grammar conventions associated with certain verb and adjective suffixes, like -ate, -en, -ify, -ise and -ous. Pupils will review and learn more examples of how the addition of a suffix can affect the grammar of a word, for example its word class or tense.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to spell words using -ious and -eous.
Key Notes
- The suffix -ous often turns nouns into adjectives and often means 'full of'.
- There are four key rules when adding the suffix -ous to a root word.
- When you hear the 'ee' sound before -ous, the most likely spelling is an 'i', but it is sometimes an 'e'.
- How to spell the curriculum words: learn, group and earth.
Vocabulary To Learn
- 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 root word
- pronunciation: the way a word is spoken
- adjective: describes a noun
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- You can hear the 'ee' in all words ending in -ious and -eous.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
The suffix -ous often turns nouns into adjectives and often means 'full of'. There are four key rules when adding the suffix -ous to a root word.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'root word'
the base word from which other words are formed often by adding prefixes or suffixes.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: You can hear the 'ee' in all words ending in -ious and -eous. Correction: You cannot hear the 'ee' in words ending -geous, like 'courageous' (the 'e' is making the 'soft g' sound) or words with 'xi' or 'ti'.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Adding the suffix -ate to words Study Guide
- Adding the suffix -ed to verbs Study Guide
- Adding the suffix -en to words Study Guide
- Adding the suffix -ify to words Study Guide
- Adding the suffix -ing to verbs Study Guide
- Adding the suffix -ise to words Study Guide
- Adding the suffix -ous to words Study Guide
- Spelling further words with the suffix -ed Study Guide
- Spelling further words with the suffix -ing Study Guide
- Using and applying all the rules for the suffix -ous Study Guide
- Using the suffix -ous Study Guide
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