1. Superlatives Suffixes –able, -ful, -ous
Grade 4 lesson 14
Superlatives
Suffixes –able, -ful, -ous

2. Superlatives Vowel Suffix –est = the most
Superlatives are words we use to compare 3 or more items to show which one is the most….above and beyond the others.
Prefix SUPER = Above; Beyond (Superman)
We use vowel suffix –est to show the superlative form: fastest, thinnest, happiest.
Vowel Suffix –est = the most

3. Adding Vowel Suffixes Example: thin + est = thinnest
When you add a vowel suffix to a base word, you MUST know if the final syllable of the base word has a short or long vowel sound.
DOUBLING RULE: When you hear a base word with a short vowel sound, double the final consonant before adding the vowel suffix.
Example: thin + est = thinnest
He is the thinnest of all the boys in the class.

4. “JUST ADD” VOWEL SUFFIX
When we have a base word, and we add a VOWEL suffix…we check the last 3 letters of the base word.
IF we have 2 consonants in the FINAL position of the base word, we can “JUST ADD” the vowel suffix!
swift + est = swiftest fast + est = fastest
IF we have a vowel team in the last 3 letters of the base word, we can “JUST ADD” the vowel suffix!
(digraph / dipthong ow and ou count as a vowel team!)
slow + est = slowest

5. Changing Rule
We know that a SUFFIX is a VOWEL SUFFIX if the FIRST letter of the suffix is a vowel.
-ing, -er, -est
When you add a vowel suffix to a base word with vowel Y in the final position, you must change the Y to i before adding the suffix unless the suffix begins with the letter i.
Base Word: happy + est = happiest
Today is the happiest I have ever seen her!

6. Vowel Suffix -able = able to Key Words: likeable, loveable
(Changes a verb to an adjective)

7. Vowel Suffix - ous = having or full of Key Words: famous, nervous
(Changes a noun to an
adjective)

8. -ful = full of; amount needed to fill Keywords: hopeful, helpful
Consonant Suffix
-ful = full of; amount needed to fill
Keywords: hopeful, helpful
Usually an adjective

9. SPELLING WORDS
gloomiest fastest thinnest heaviest swiftest slimmest fanciest lightest happiest slowest shiniest oddest nervous careful likeable perilous delightful loveable beautiful disagreeable