Rule 1
Plural –s, -es, -ies
-s
-es
-ies
(most nouns)
(usually nouns ending with
-ch, -s, -sh, -x, -z)
(usually nouns ending with y)
cup
table
town
bus
baby
fox
country
match
city
Can you think of any exceptions?
Rule 2
Apostrophe for contraction and possession
That boy’s boots are muddy.
Singular possession
Boots that belong to one boy are muddy.
All the boys’ football boots were muddy.
Plural possession
Boots that belong to many boys are muddy.
Contraction
When you are writing informally you can use contracted words.
can not = can’t
will not = won’t
shall not = shan’t
did not = didn’t
we have = we’ve
they have = they’ve
would have = would’ve
should have = should’ve
I will = I’ll
they will = they’ll
she has = she’s
he has = he’s
Rule 3
Prefix
A prefix is a string of letters that are added to the beginning of a root word, changing its meaning.
unable
happy
lucky
mis-
re-
dis-
behave
apply
own
understand
visit
courage
take
do
appear
Learn the meanings of each prefix and understand which root words fit.
Rule 4
Suffix
A suffix is a string of letters that go at the end of a root word, changing or adding to its meaning.
-ly
likely
friendly
monthly
-ful
-ate
-ise
-ify
beautiful
originate
modernise
solidify
colourful
populate
personalise
simplify
painful
motivate
finalise
classify
Learn the meanings of each suffic and understand which root words fit.
Rule 5
Hyphen
The hyphen (‐) is a punctuation mark used to join words and to separate syllables of a single word.
e.g. blood-curdling, short-tempered, man-eating
Along with these spelling rules, we will also be learning the
common exception words (see Autumn 1 attachment) and
improving our skills in dictionary use.