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Classroom · Grammar · 5th grade

Suffixes worksheets

A free five-page pack: learn the rule with pictures, then sort words, find them in sentences and use them in writing, with an answer key.

Download the suffixes pack(5 pages, color)Ink saver (B&W)

Watch it solved

48 sec · with voice and captions

A pencil works one example of each activity, so you can see how the worksheet goes before you print it. Tap a step to jump to it. The rest of the sheet is left for your child to finish.

Read what the video says
  1. 0:00 Let's practice suffixes, step by step.
  2. 0:03 A suffix is added to the end of a word and changes its meaning: -ful means full of, -less means without, -able means can be, and -ness means being. For example: The fearless lion was hopeful and careful.
  3. 0:18 Look and say: colorful, fearless, washable.
  4. 0:22 Read each word, and write it in the right box. Readable goes in the able box.
  5. 0:28 Read each sentence. Circle the word with a suffix. The puppy is very playful.
  6. 0:34 Add -ful, -less, -able or -ness to make a word that matches the meaning. Full of joy is joyful
  7. 0:41 Great job! Now print the free worksheet, and finish the rest on your own.

The rule

A suffix is added to the end of a word and changes its meaning: -ful means full of, -less means without, -able means can be, and -ness means being.

The fearless lion was hopeful and careful.

Look and say

  • colorfulfull of color
  • fearlesswithout fear
  • washablecan be washed
  • kindnessbeing kind
  • hopefulfull of hope
  • breakablecan break
  • quicklyin a quick way
  • movementthe act of moving

Try some

The puppy is very playful.Show answer
That spider is harmless.Show answer
Thank you for your kindness.Show answer
This jacket is washable.Show answer
Please be careful on the ice.Show answer
The darkness made us sleepy.Show answer
The trip felt endless.Show answer
Her plan is doable.Show answer

Find the words in each sentence, then tap to check.

What the worksheets look like

Suffixes worksheet, page 1
Page 1: learn the rule
Suffixes worksheet, page 2
Page 2: sort the words

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Common questions

What are suffixes?

A suffix is added to the end of a word and changes its meaning: -ful means full of, -less means without, -able means can be, and -ness means being.

How do I teach suffixes?

Split words on a whiteboard: help + ful, fear + less. Children see the base word they already know and use the suffix to work out the rest.

What mistake should I watch for?

Forgetting a spelling change, as in "happyness." When a base word ends in a consonant and y, change the y to i before adding the suffix: happiness, plentiful.

What grade learns suffixes?

Usually 5th grade. In the Common Core it is part of L.5.4b.