Suffixes ESL Games, Worksheets and Activities
Here is a comprehensive noun suffixes worksheet for intermediate students. First, students add a noun suffix from a box to each word and then use the nouns to complete sentences. Students then put the suffixes in the correct category - suffixes referring to abstract nouns or suffixes referring to people. Next, students decide if the nouns in sentences are correct and rewrite the ones that are not. After that, students add a root word to each suffix to complete each sentence. Lastly, students complete each sentence with a word from a box along with a suitable noun suffix.
In this free suffixes speaking activity, students complete questions that contain abstract nouns using suffixes and then ask, answer and discuss the questions with a partner. In pairs, students take it in turns to read out the questions on the worksheet to their partner who listens and completes the word stem with the correct suffix: -hood, -dom, -ship, -ness or -tion. If their partner completes the question with the correct suffix, they score a point. The student with the most points at the end wins. Students then move on to ask, answer and discuss the questions with their partner.
In this productive adjective suffixes worksheet, students identify and practice using the adjective suffixes: -able, -al, -ful, -ish, -ous, and -y. Students start by underlining suffixes in adjectives. Students then put each word from a box with a suitable suffix to make an adjective. Next, students do a gap-fill exercise where they complete sentences in a film summary with the adjectives. In the last exercise, students write what they think happens next in the film summary story using at least three adjectives from the worksheet.
This insightful suffixes worksheet helps students practice the eight suffixes: -ship, -ity, -al, -ical, -age, -ible, -tion, and -wide. Students begin by reading a text about environmental causes. In pairs, students then discuss whether they agree with the writer's opinion and what they can do to help the environment. Next, students find ten root words in the text and complete a table with the associated suffix, a definition of the word and an example sentence. After that, students write the words from the table. Then, they look up the words in dictionaries and underline the stressed syllable. Students then move on to find three more words for each suffix and check their answers in a dictionary. In the last exercise, students complete sentences with the correct forms of the words in brackets to practice the suffixes.
In this fun suffixes game, students guess words that contain certain suffixes from given clues. Draw a five-by-five hexagon grid on the board and write suffixes into the 25 hexagons. The aim of the game is to connect the hexagons from one side of the grid to the other. The game starts with the center hexagon. Give the clue for the suffix in the hexagon (-sect), i.e., to cut. The two teams then race to say a related word with that suffix, e.g. dissect. The first team to give a suitable word wins the hexagon and it is coloured accordingly. The winning team then chooses the next hexagon. Give the clue for the suffix in that hexagon and both teams race to answer as before. The first team to connect their hexagons from top to bottom or left to right wins the game.
In this creative abstract nouns and suffixes game, students match suffixes to words to make abstract nouns and then use the nouns to make sentences. The first player puts down one of their dominoes, making sure that the suffix or word on their domino matches with the word or suffix on either side of the domino on the table to make an abstract noun. If the player forms an abstract noun successfully, they score a point. For an extra point, the player then uses the noun in a sentence. The other players then take it in turns to match their dominoes in the same way by putting them down at either end of the domino chain and making a suitable sentence when an abstract noun is formed. When a player has gotten rid of all their dominoes, the game ends. The player with the most points wins the game. Afterwards, students categorize the abstract nouns into their different types, e.g. feelings, states, concepts, etc. Finally, check the answers and elicit other abstract nouns for each category.
In this engaging suffixes game, students play Connect 4 by changing verbs into nouns using specific suffixes. The aim of the game is to get four squares in a row, while at the same time trying to stop the other player from getting four in a row. The players win squares by changing verbs into nouns using certain suffixes and spelling the nouns correctly. Write the suffixes for game 1 on the board: -ation, -tion, -sion, -ment. The first player then looks at a verb in a square and decides which suffix can be used to create a noun (i.e. ation, -tion, -sion, -ment). The student then says the noun and spells it. The student acting as judge listens and checks the noun and spelling on their answer sheet. If the noun and spelling are correct, the player writes their name in the square. It's then the other player's turn to choose a square and make a noun. The first player to get four in a row wins the game. When a group has finished, give them a copy of game 2 and students swap roles, giving another student the chance to act as judge. Then, write the suffixes for game 2 on the board: -ance, -ence, -al. At the end of game 2, students swap roles again and play game 3 with suffixes: -ure, -ing, -age.
