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Add the Suffix -ation

In this worksheet, students will add the suffix -ation onto existing root words, seeing how the meaning changes.

'Add the Suffix -ation' worksheet

Key stage:  KS 2

Year:  Year 4 English worksheets

Curriculum topic:   Writing: Transcription

Curriculum subtopic:   Use Prefixes and Suffixes

Difficulty level:  

Worksheet Overview

A suffix is a letter or group of letters that can be added to the end of a root word. When you add the suffix, you make a new word.

This new word has a related but different meaning. 

 

This activity is about the suffix -ation.

 

Example

You inspire me.

You have given me inspiration.

 

girl drawing

 

Adding the suffix -ation changes a verb to a noun, and this new word tells us about an action, process or result.

 

There are spelling rules you have to follow when you add -ation:

 

1. Rule for root words ending in -ate.

 

to vacate

becomes

We have a vacation.

take off -ate

 

add on -ation

 

family on holiday

 

2. Rule for root words ending in -y.

 

to magnify

becomes

Magnification makes the picture bigger.

 the -y ending becomes -ic

 

add on -ation

 

girl with magnifying glass

 

3. Rule for root words ending in -re, -ve, or -se.

 

to respire (to breathe)

becomes

Plants use their leaves for respiration.

take of -e

 

add on -ation

 

process of photosynthesis

 

4. Rule for most other root word endings, just add -ation on the end of the word. 

 

Watch out - there are always words that don't match the spelling rules!

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