PencilGo

Grade 3 · Spelling · Morphology

3rd Grade Spelling Rules for Word Endings worksheets

6 printable versionsOn LevelAbout 9 minutes eachFree · no account

When it’s done, scan the sheet with your phone and PencilGo marks it and picks the next one. Create a free account

★
Version
Print

Spelling Rules for Word Endings

Grade 3 Spelling Worksheet

NameDate

Write the answer on the line.

  1. tall + est =

  2. kind + est =

  3. roll + ing =

  4. plant + ed =

  5. fast + est =

  6. fast + er =

  7. nice + er =

  8. bake + ed =

  9. shop + ed =

  10. wrap + ing =

  11. wave + ed =

  12. sad + est =

  13. run + ing =

  14. smile + ed =

  15. study + ed =

  16. copy + ed =

  17. dry + ed =

  18. hot + est =

PencilGopencilgo.com

3rd Grade Spelling Rules for Word Endings worksheet 1 – printable PDF
Download PDF: 123456

About this worksheet

Adding -ed, -ing, -er or -est to a word looks easy until the spelling of the word has to change. Third graders learn three rules for it. A short word with one vowel and one last consonant doubles that consonant, so stop becomes stopped and big becomes bigger. A word that ends in a silent e loses the e before an ending that starts with a vowel, so bake becomes baking. A word that ends in a consonant plus y changes the y to i before -ed, -er and -est, so carry becomes carried, while the y stays before -ing and after a vowel, as in carrying and played.

On this worksheet your child joins a word and its ending and writes the new word on the line. The first rows only add the ending, and the later rows need a rule. Say the rule out loud before writing.

What your child will learn

  • Double the last letter in short words, as in stopped
  • Drop the silent e before an ending that starts with a vowel
  • Change y to i before -ed, -er and -est
  • Add -ed, -ing, -er and -est and spell the new word

Common Core standard: L.3.2.E

Worked example

Add -ing to bake: take off the silent e, then write baking.

Common mistake

Adding the ending without changing the word, such as bakeing or stoped.

Helpful hint

Look at the last letters of the word, then decide which rule fits.

Questions parents ask

What is the most common mistake with spelling rules for word endings?

Adding the ending without changing the word, such as bakeing or stoped.

How can I help my child with spelling rules for word endings?

Look at the last letters of the word, then decide which rule fits.

Are these 3rd grade spelling worksheets free to print?

Yes. All 6 printable versions on this page are free to download and print, with no account needed.

Similar: Prefixes · Suffixes

More 3rd grade morphology

See all morphology

Every sheet you scan goes into your child’s record: dated, marked and ready for the year-end portfolio. Homeschool records