Language Conventions
NAPLAN Spelling Rules: Word Endings (Suffixes)
NAPLAN Spelling Rule 3: Silent e and Word Endings
For words that end in a silent, final e:
* drop the e before adding endings that begin with a vowel or the letter y acting as a vowel.
Examples: hide + ing = hiding, fine + est = finest, spice + y = spicy.
We must drop the e before adding endings that begin with a vowel because if we don't we create double vowels that change how we read the word. Examples:
* hideing creates the double vowel ei which makes three sounds, long e, long a and short i.
* fineest creates the double vowel ee which makes the long e sound.
* spicey creates the double vowel ey which makes three sounds, long a, long e and short i.
* keep the e before adding endings that begin with a consonant.
Examples: time + less = timeless, divine + ly = divinely.
NAPLAN Spelling Rule 4: Short Vowel, Double the Consonant
For one-syllable words with a short vowel that end with a consonant, double the final consonant before adding endings that begin with a vowel, to keep the vowel sound short. This does not apply to words ending in x because x has two sounds: ks. This rule may also apply to two-syllable words in which the second syllable has a short vowel, ends in a consonant and is accented.
Examples: hop + ing = hopping, trip + ed = tripped.
Explanation: In the word hopping for example, if we didn't double the p the word would be hoping as in: I am hoping for a new bike for Christmas. We need to double the final consonant so it is clear there was never a silent, final e, causing the vowel to say its name, that was dropped before adding the ending beginning with a vowel.
For words that end in a silent, final e:
* drop the e before adding endings that begin with a vowel or the letter y acting as a vowel.
Examples: hide + ing = hiding, fine + est = finest, spice + y = spicy.
We must drop the e before adding endings that begin with a vowel because if we don't we create double vowels that change how we read the word. Examples:
* hideing creates the double vowel ei which makes three sounds, long e, long a and short i.
* fineest creates the double vowel ee which makes the long e sound.
* spicey creates the double vowel ey which makes three sounds, long a, long e and short i.
* keep the e before adding endings that begin with a consonant.
Examples: time + less = timeless, divine + ly = divinely.
NAPLAN Spelling Rule 4: Short Vowel, Double the Consonant
For one-syllable words with a short vowel that end with a consonant, double the final consonant before adding endings that begin with a vowel, to keep the vowel sound short. This does not apply to words ending in x because x has two sounds: ks. This rule may also apply to two-syllable words in which the second syllable has a short vowel, ends in a consonant and is accented.
Examples: hop + ing = hopping, trip + ed = tripped.
Explanation: In the word hopping for example, if we didn't double the p the word would be hoping as in: I am hoping for a new bike for Christmas. We need to double the final consonant so it is clear there was never a silent, final e, causing the vowel to say its name, that was dropped before adding the ending beginning with a vowel.
NAPLAN Spelling Rule 5: The Plural es
Add es to nouns and verbs that end in these phonograms: ch, sh, s, x, z and some words ending in o.
Examples: lunches, dishes, dresses, boxes, buzzes, tomatoes.
Exceptions for words ending in o: radios, zeros, patios, banjos, photos, solos, silos, ratios and pianos.
Add es to nouns and verbs that end in these phonograms: ch, sh, s, x, z and some words ending in o.
Examples: lunches, dishes, dresses, boxes, buzzes, tomatoes.
Exceptions for words ending in o: radios, zeros, patios, banjos, photos, solos, silos, ratios and pianos.
NAPLAN Spelling Rule 6: Words that End in y
Word Endings Beginning with a Vowel
For words ending in y:
* if the letter before the y is a consonant, change the y to i before adding an ending beginning with a vowel. In the case of plurals, you need to change the y to i and add es.
Examples: supply + s = supplies, supply + er = supplier, supply + ed = supplied.
* if the letter before the y is a vowel, just add the ending beginning with a vowel. In the case of plurals, just add s.
Examples: keys, days, employed, employer.
NAPLAN Spelling Rule 7: Words that End in f
For words that end in f:
* if the base words ends in double f (ff), just add s.
* if you hear the f sound in the plural form, just add an s.
* if you hear a v in the plural form, change the f to v and add es.
Examples: puff + s = puffs, chef + s = chefs, elf + s = elves.
Year 5 students should also know that when changing a noun ending in f to a verb, you need to change the f to v and add e.
Examples: relief - relieve, It is sometimes necessary to change the vowel slightly as in proof - prove.
Word Endings Beginning with a Vowel
For words ending in y:
* if the letter before the y is a consonant, change the y to i before adding an ending beginning with a vowel. In the case of plurals, you need to change the y to i and add es.
Examples: supply + s = supplies, supply + er = supplier, supply + ed = supplied.
* if the letter before the y is a vowel, just add the ending beginning with a vowel. In the case of plurals, just add s.
Examples: keys, days, employed, employer.
NAPLAN Spelling Rule 7: Words that End in f
For words that end in f:
* if the base words ends in double f (ff), just add s.
* if you hear the f sound in the plural form, just add an s.
* if you hear a v in the plural form, change the f to v and add es.
Examples: puff + s = puffs, chef + s = chefs, elf + s = elves.
Year 5 students should also know that when changing a noun ending in f to a verb, you need to change the f to v and add e.
Examples: relief - relieve, It is sometimes necessary to change the vowel slightly as in proof - prove.
