SuffixesAdding s and es, ed, ly

PLURALS » adding s and es • adding s is the most common choice:

chairs, floors, shoes, elephants

• add es if the base word ends in s, sh, ch, x, or z: glasses, arches, sashes, foxes

• When a noun ends in y after a consonant, change the y to i and add es

Adding ed in reading and spelling

• The suffix ed means past tense. It is always spelled ed, but can be pronounced as either a t or d.

• For spelling, listen to hear if a word is past tense (so is spelled ed) or if it just ends in a d or t sound.

• For reading, use the /t/ sound when the letter just before ed is unvoiced (dressed, asked, washed, stuffed). Use the /d/ sound when the sound just before it is voiced and neither t or d. (called, turned, crawled, snowed)

Voiced vs Voiceless

What is Voiced?

A simple explanation of voiced consonants is that they use the voice. This is easy to test by putting your finger on your throat. If you feel a vibration the consonant is voiced. Here is a list of some voiced consonants. Pronounce each consonant sound and feel the vibration of your vocal chords. b, d, th (as in then), v, l, r, z, j (as in Jane)

What is Voiceless?

Voiceless consonants do not use the voice. They are percussive and use hard sounds. Once again, you can test if a consonant is voiceless by putting your finger on your throat. You will feel no vibration in your throat, just a short explosion of air as you pronounce. Pronounce each of these consonant sounds and feel NO vibration in your throat. p, t, k, s, sh, ch, th (as in thing)

Adding ly • The suffix ly means how or in a certain way. It changes

an adjective (describing word) into an adverb (how word).

• Add ly to a base word unless:

-the base is a silent e word, you keep the silent e and add ly

-the word ends in l, double it and add ly

-the word ends in c-le, change the e to y

-the word ends in a consonant followed by y, change the y to i and add ly