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10 printable sets · answer key on every set

Prefixes and Suffixes Worksheets

  • CCSS L.2.4.b
  • 18 items per set
  • Answer key included

What this skill is

Adding a word part to the front (prefix) or end (suffix) of a root word to change its meaning.

When it comes up: Second grade.

The mistake to watch for

Guessing the new word's meaning from the root alone and ignoring what the prefix or suffix adds — reading "unhappy" as just "happy".

How to help

Teach a small set of prefixes and suffixes by their meaning first (un- = not, re- = again, -ful = full of), then apply them to words the child already knows.

Next: Capitalization and punctuation, moving from words to full sentences.

A worked example

A prefix goes at the front and changes the meaning: un + happy = unhappy (not happy). A suffix goes at the end: help + ful = helpful (full of help).

Words to know

prefix
A group of letters added to the front of a word to change its meaning, like un- in unhappy.
suffix
A group of letters added to the end of a word to change its meaning, like -ful in helpful.
word
A group of letters that has a meaning.
meaning
What a word or a sentence tells you.
letter
One of the symbols we use to write words, like a, b or c.

Practice

Add the prefix or suffix to make a new word.

Showing Set 1 · 18 items

  1. Add 're' to 'write' to make a new word:
  2. Add 'ing' to 'jump' to make a new word:
  3. Add 'un' to 'lock' to make a new word:
  4. Add 'dis' to 'agree' to make a new word:
  5. Add 'less' to 'care' to make a new word:
  6. Add 'un' to 'fair' to make a new word:
  7. Add 'able' to 'read' to make a new word:
  8. Add 're' to 'read' to make a new word:
  9. Add 'ful' to 'care' to make a new word:
  10. Add 'ful' to 'help' to make a new word:
  11. Add 'less' to 'help' to make a new word:
  12. Add 'dis' to 'like' to make a new word:
  13. Add 'un' to 'happy' to make a new word:
  14. Add 'er' to 'paint' to make a new word:
  15. Add 're' to 'play' to make a new word:
  16. Add 'pre' to 'heat' to make a new word:
  17. Add 'er' to 'teach' to make a new word:
  18. Add 'pre' to 'view' to make a new word:

Download this set18 items · answer key included PDF

Answer key
  1. rewrite
  2. jumping
  3. unlock
  4. disagree
  5. careless
  6. unfair
  7. readable
  8. reread
  9. careful
  10. helpful
  11. helpless
  12. dislike
  13. unhappy
  14. painter
  15. replay
  16. preheat
  17. teacher
  18. preview

All 10 sets

Each set is a different list of 18 items with its own answer key. Use the buttons above to look at one on this page, or download any of them as a PDF.

How these sheets were made
  • Problems are generated for each set and checked against L.2.4.b before the sheet is built — no duplicates, and every problem falls inside the standard's number range.

Common Core State Standards © 2010 National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and Council of Chief State School Officers. All rights reserved.