3rd Grade Suffixes worksheets

About this worksheet

Suffixes in third grade move beyond simple endings such as -s and -ing. Students begin using derivational suffixes that change a word's meaning or role, including -ful, -less, -ness, -ment, -able, and -ion. Each one adds a meaning: full of, without, the state of being, the act of, able to be, or something done. This worksheet keeps suffix spelling and meaning together, using base words that do not change when the suffix is added, such as help, kind, collect, and depend.

Students tell a real suffix from an ending that only looks like one, add a suffix with the right spelling, choose the meaning of the longer word, find the base word, and match a meaning to the right word. Encourage your child to read the base word first, then ask what the ending adds. The answer should explain the longer word, not just spot letters at the end.

What your child will learn

• Identify common derivational suffixes
• Connect a suffix to its base word
• Use suffix meaning to understand a longer word
• Spell endings such as ful, less, ness, ment, able, and ion

Common Core standard: RF.3.3.A