Super Suffixes

• newEditor
• English
• 2nd Grade

Super Suffixes

• Identify the base word with derivational suffixes -ful, -ment, and -less.

• Understand that -ful, -ment, and -less change the meaning of base words.

• Determine the meaning of words with -ful, -ment, and -less suffixes.

Base Word + Suffix = New Word

cat -s cats

climb -ed climbed

What is a suffix?

A suffix is added to the end of a base word.

Base Word + Suffix = New Word

play -ing playing

sad -ly sadly

joy -ful joyful

What is the base word of the word "dogs"?

A

dog

B

-s

C

dogs

D

o

What is the base word of the word "crying"?

A

crying

B

cry

C

-ing

D

y

What is the base word of the word "yelled"?

A

yelled

B

-ed

C

e

D

yell

What is the base word of the word "fearless"?

A

-less

B

ea

C

fear

D

fearless

A suffix can change the meaning of a word.

-ful = adds a "having" meaning, full of

help

helpful

base

new word

care

careful

fear

fearful

pain

painful

+ful

-less = adds a "lacking" meaning, without

help

helpless

base

new word

care

careless

fear

fearless

pain

painless

+less

-ful

-less

Give more examples of -ful, -less words.

A suffix can change the meaning and function of a word.

-ment = changes a verb to a noun

enjoy

enjoyment

Verb

Noun

move

movement

pay

payment

treat

treatment

+ment

Add -ful, -less, or -ment to the base word in parentheses () to complete the story.

Suzy is full of excitement(excite)! Today is her class's field trip to the botanical garden. As she and her classmates walk along the trail, Mrs. Lynn reminds them to be careful(care).

When they reach the pond, they see a helpless(help) duckling stuck near the reeds. Their helpful(help) guide gives it gentle treatment(treat) and helps it swim back to its family. Next, they visit the butterfly garden. Suzy feels joyful(joy) when a bright yellow butterfly lands on her hand. Her friends watch with amazement(amaze).

At lunchtime, they sit under a shady tree and share a refreshment(refresh) from their coolers. Everyone agrees that it was a wonderful(wonder) day. On the bus ride home, Suzy feels thankful(thank) for such a fun field trip.

excitement

careful

helpless

helpful

treatment

joyful

amazement

refreshment

wonderful

thankful

careless

thankless

amazeful

exciteful

treatful

joyment

refreshful

wonderment

What is a word you know that has a suffix?

I know what a suffix is.

Yes

No

Maybe

I know what a base word is.

Yes

No

Maybe