Investigate How to Add the Suffix -ation

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.

 

 

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

 

 

2. Rule for root words ending in -y.

 

to magnify	becomes	Magnification makes the picture bigger.
the -y ending becomes -ic		add on -ation

 

 

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

 

 

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!