Suffixes are powerful little word endings that can change the meaning of a word entirely! Whether you’re turning a verb into a noun or making a word describe a person, suffixes help expand vocabulary and improve grammar skills. On this page, you’ll find fun and helpful suffix worksheets and exercises that teach how to use endings like -er, -ness, -ment, -ful, and more.
Learn more: 30+ Common Suffixes
Download Suffixes Worksheets
1. Choose the correct suffix from the bank to add to the end of the bolded word in each sentence. Write the suffix on the line. Each suffix will be used once.
Answer key:
2. Rewrite each word, choosing the correct suffix.
3. For each suffix listed, write an example word that is formed by adding the suffix to a base word.
4. Look at the first example and write other words with the suffixes given.
5. Look at each suffix provided. For each one, write three different words that include the suffix.
6. Add a suffix to each of the words below to change them from a verb to a noun.
7. Complete the chart. Write down your answers. Use the suffix -less or -ful. The first one is done for you.
Suffixes Exercises
Exercise 1: Match the Suffix to Its Meaning
Direction: Match each suffix to its correct meaning by writing the correct number.
| Suffix | Meaning |
|---|---|
| A. -ness | 1. Capable of being |
| B. -er | 2. The act or process of |
| C. -ful | 3. State or quality of being |
| D. -less | 4. One who does an action or job |
| E. -tion | 5. Full of |
| F. -able | 6. Lacking or without |
| G. -ment | 7. The result or action of doing something |
| H. -ous | 8. Full of or having the quality of |
Answer Key:
| Suffix | Correct Meaning Number |
|---|---|
| A. -ness | 3 |
| B. -er | 4 |
| C. -ful | 5 |
| D. -less | 6 |
| E. -tion | 2 |
| F. -able | 1 |
| G. -ment | 7 |
| H. -ous | 8 |
Exercise 2: Complete the Word
Directions: Look at each base word. Then, create two new words by adding different suffixes. Write your new words on the lines provided.
Base Words:
- help
→ ______________ → ______________ - kind
→ ______________ → ______________ - teach
→ ______________ → ______________ - hope
→ ______________ → ______________ - care
→ ______________ → ______________ - act
→ ______________ → ______________ - move
→ ______________ → ______________ - read
→ ______________ → ______________ - play
→ ______________ → ______________ - use
→ ______________ → ______________
Sample Answer Key:
| Base Word | Word 1 | Word 2 |
|---|---|---|
| help | helper | helpful |
| kind | kindness | kindly |
| teach | teacher | teaching |
| hope | hopeful | hopeless |
| care | careless | careful |
| act | action | actor |
| move | movement | movable |
| read | reader | readable |
| play | playful | player |
| use | useful | useless |
Exercise 3: Choose the Correct Suffix
Direction: Choose the correct suffix to complete each word or sentence. Circle A, B, or C.
- He showed great lead__ during the project.
A) -er B) -ment C) -ship - She looked at him with surprise and confus___.
A) -ness B) -ment C) -ion - The child was very fear___.
A) -ness B) -ful C) -less - He was known as a great paint___.
A) -er B) -ful C) -tion - Their argu___ lasted for hours.
A) -ment B) -ance C) -ous - The butterfly’s wings are color___.
A) -ed B) -ful C) -ness - Please write a neat ___ of the sentence.
A) -ion B) -ment C) -ness - We were amazed by her creat___.
A) -ivity B) -tion C) -ful
Answer Key:
| No. | Correct Answer | Completed Word |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | C) -ship | leadership |
| 2 | C) -ion | confusion |
| 3 | B) -ful | fearful |
| 4 | A) -er | painter |
| 5 | A) -ment | argument |
| 6 | B) -ful | colorful |
| 7 | B) -ment | assignment |
| 8 | A) -ivity | creativity |
Exercise 4: Fill in the Blank with Suffix Words
Direction: Complete each sentence by adding a correct suffix to the word in parentheses so it fits grammatically and meaningfully in the blank.
- She showed great __________ during the storm. (brave)
- He is a talented __________ who paints landscapes. (paint)
- This book is very __________ and easy to follow. (read)
- I felt __________ after watching that sad movie. (hope)
- Her __________ helped the new student feel welcome. (kind)
- The baby’s __________ was clear when he saw the toy. (excite)
- Their loud __________ disturbed the entire neighborhood. (argue)
- We felt a great sense of __________ when the team won. (achieve)
- The sky looked __________ after the rain stopped. (color)
- The teacher praised his __________ during the group project. (lead)
Answer Key:
| No. | Completed Sentence |
|---|---|
| 1 | She showed great bravery during the storm. |
| 2 | He is a talented painter who paints landscapes. |
| 3 | This book is very readable and easy to follow. |
| 4 | I felt hopeless after watching that sad movie. |
| 5 | Her kindness helped the new student feel welcome. |
| 6 | The baby’s excitement was clear when he saw the toy. |
| 7 | Their loud argument disturbed the entire neighborhood. |
| 8 | We felt a great sense of achievement when the team won. |
| 9 | The sky looked colorful after the rain stopped. |
| 10 | The teacher praised his leadership during the group project. |