Adding Suffixes to Words Ending in 'Y' | Baamboozle - Baamboozle

English 11 Public

Spelling rules which apply on words ending with "y": different suffixes

Study Slideshow

1. What is a suffix?

A suffix is a group of letters or a single letter added to the end of a word. A suffix changes the word's function or meaning!

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2. Common suffixes include the letters?

"s", "ed", "ing", "er", "eft", "ful" and more...

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3. Generally, when a suffix is added, the base word remains unchanges:

Dog --> Dog(s), Toy--> Toy(s), Talk --> Talk(ed) Wash-->Wash(ing)

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4. However, sometimes we do need to change the base words!

If a word ends with "Y" it often needs to be changed before adding a suffix!

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5. The "Y" rule: In most cases, when the base word ends with a "Y"

we must replace it with an "I" before adding a suffix!

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6. For example: Study, Happy, Crazy will become --- >

Studied, Happier, Craziest

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7. But if the base word contains a vowel BEFORE the final "Y" (for example: "Toy")

the "y" stays as it is! (Toy --> Toys)

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8. More examples for this excpetion (vowel BEFORE the "y" at the end:

En(o)y --> Enj(o)yable, St(a)y --> St(a)yed, Pl(a)y --> Pl(a)ys.

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9. the second exepction: If the suffix begins with an "i", (ing, ies, ist)

then the "y" stays as it is: Carry+ing = Carrying, Hurry+ing = Hurrying

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10. Some words that BREAK the rules and the exceptions!

For example : we don't change the "y" in suffixes of "dry" and "shy" (dryness, shyness, drylee, shylee)

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11. Remember: if the base words ends with a "y", change it to an "i" before adding the suffiix,

Unless the base word contains a vowel directly before the "y", or the suffix begins with an "i"

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