We can use prefixes and suffixes to change the meaning of some words.
We call the original word a root word.
Prefixes go at the start of words.
For example: un + kind = unkind.
The prefix un means not. When we add it to the root word kind we create its opposite.
Suffixes go at the end of words.
For example: cheer + ful = cheerful
The suffix ful turns a noun (naming word) into an adjective (describing word).
In this activity, we will look at the use of the suffix -tious.
This suffix turns a root word into an adjective (describing word).
The suffix means 'full of' or 'having'. So, the word cautious uses the root word caution and the suffix -tious and means 'full of caution'.
Generally, if the root word ends in ce, we use the -cious ending. For other words, we use the ending -tious (ambition becomes ambitious), which sounds the same as -cious. You can practise spelling -cious words in another activity.
For example: ambition (noun) becomes ambitious (adjective).
Did you spot the new ending?
However, the root word is not always obvious so we need to practise these words to learn to spell them.
Here are some examples of words that use these suffixes that we will practise in this activity:
ambitious
cautious
fictitious
infectious
nutritious
You can listen to them here:
An exception to these rules is anxious. The word ending sounds the same as those ending in -tious and -cious, but uses -xious instead.
Use Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check to practise spellings a few times before we begin the activities.