Add Suffixes to Words Ending in -fer

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 how to add suffixes that start with a vowel (-ing, -ed, -al) to words that end in -fer (refer, prefer, transfer).

The way we say the words aloud can help us to spell the new words.  We need to pay attention to the stresses in the words - this is where we emphasise part of the word when we say it aloud.

If the -fer sound is still stressed when the suffix is added, we need to double the r at the end of the word.

For example: refer becomes referring. 

Did you spot the new ending?

However, if the -fer sound is no longer stressed, the r is not doubled.

For example: refer becomes reference. 

Did you spot the new ending?

Here are some examples of words that use these suffixes that we will practise in this activity:

referring

referred

referral

preferring

preferred

transferring

transferred

reference

referee

preference

transference

You can listen to them here - pay attention to where the stresses in the words are.

Use Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check to practise spellings a few times before we begin the activity.