Skip to content

Study Hub

Study Guides

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

Year 5 - English

Applying spelling rules with the letter string 'fer'

Noun suffixes, letter strings and homophones

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils learn spelling and grammar conventions associated with more noun suffixes like -ant, -ance, -ancy, -ent, -ence and -ency, reviewing how the addition of a suffix can affect the grammar of a word, for example its word class. Pupils investigate letter strings and homophones.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to apply spelling patterns using the letter string 'fer'.

Key Notes

  • When adding suffixes to words ending in 'fer', the 'r' is doubled if the –fer is still stressed.
  • The 'r' is not doubled if the 'fer' is no longer stressed.
  • We can use a range of strategies to practise spellings and help embed them in our memory.
  • How to spell the curriculum words: purpose and suppose.

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 word to change its meaning
  • letter string: a sequence of letters that appears in several words
  • stressed sound: an emphasised sound

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Children may not know how to pronounce focus words within the lesson, meaning they can't identify the stressed syllable.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

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

When adding suffixes to words ending in 'fer', the 'r' is doubled if the –fer is still stressed. The 'r' is not doubled if the 'fer' is no longer stressed.

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: Children may not know how to pronounce focus words within the lesson, meaning they can't identify the stressed syllable. Correction: Use 'my turn your turn' to ensure children can pronounce focus words correctly, and also put into sentences so they can understand the meaning and word class in context.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 5 English guide library.