Adding Suffixes to Root Words (-s, -es) — Let’s Practice!

Adding Suffixes to Root Words (-s, -es) — Let’s Practice! exercise

• Identify which suffixes make a noun plural.

  Hints

  Which suffix would you add if you want to make the word boy plural?

  Which suffix would you add if you want to make the word box plural?

  Solution

  The suffixes that change a noun from singular to plural are -s and -es.

• Find the correct plural of each word.

  Hints

  Try saying each word out loud in its singular and plural forms.
  I have one bus, I have two ________.

  Some irregular nouns use -es.

  Words that end in s usually use the suffix -es to become plural.

  Solution

  Words that end in ch, s and x usually use the suffix -es to become plural.
  

  • The words above that will use -es to become plural are: church, tomato and bus.
  • We just add an s to the end of cow to make it plural.

• Write the plural of each singular noun.

  Hints

  When a word ends with -fe, the f changes to a v and the suffix -es is added.

  When a word ends with a consonant and the letter -y, it takes the suffix -ies to become plural.

  Solution

  To make tree plural, add the suffix -s.
  To make lunch plural, add the suffix -es.
  To make spy plural, change the y to i and add the suffix -es.
  To make life plural, change the f to v and add the suffix -es.

• Complete the story by adding the correct suffixes.

  Hints

  When a word ends in a vowel, add the suffix -s to make it plural.

  Words that end in ch, s and x usually use the suffix -es to become plural.

  Solution

  One day, I was riding my bike when something terrible happened! I was riding along when all of a sudden I saw some butterflies! I got distracted and crashed, then both of my wheels fell off! My friends jumped off their bikes and ran over.

  Luckily, I was not hurt too badly, but both of my hands were scraped. My friends took my arms and helped me up. We walked back home together. My dad is going to take my broken bike to his friend who fixes bikes. My dad gave us all lemonade and let us play games for the rest of the day!

• Create plural nouns by adding the correct suffix.

  Hints

  Try saying the plural of each word. We have one flag but lots of ...

  For nouns that end in -x, use the suffix -es when making the noun plural.

  Solution

  1. Foxes uses the suffix -es because fox ends with an x.
  2. Flags uses the suffix -s to become plural because flag is a regular noun.
  3. Presents uses the suffix -s to become plural because present is a regular noun.

• Which suffix will make the singular nouns plural?

  Hints

  When a singular noun ends in -y, change the -y to -ies to make it plural.

  Some irregular nouns need the suffix -es to become plural. Are there any irregular nouns in Goopaw's story?

  Solution

  I threw the party of all parties. Everyone came! There were boys and girls. Even the neighbours' cats and dogs came. Everyone danced and laughed.

  When it was time to cut the cake, I couldn't find any knives. So we all had to dig in with forks instead! It was the best birthday!