Suffix rules (-tion, -sion, -cian, -ous)

Learn common word endings that change a word's meaning, like station, vision, magician and dangerous.

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Try each question. If you're stuck, leave it and come back. The answer key is on the last page.

1
Add the suffix -tion to 'act': act + ion = ___ act + ion = ___
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2
A person who performs magic is a ___. A person who performs magic is a ___.
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3
Which word ends with the suffix -ous? A) station B) vision C) dangerous D) musician
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4
What is the correct spelling? happy + ness = ___ A) happyness B) happiness C) hapiness D) happines
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5
Which suffix means a person who does a job? A) -tion B) -sion C) -cian D) -ous
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6
Add the suffix -ous to 'fame': fame + ous = ___ (drop the silent e). fame + ous = ___
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7
Which is the correct spelling for the word meaning 'the ability to see'? A) vision B) vission C) vishion D) vicion
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8
Match each word to its correct suffix. Match each item on the left to one on the right. Left: station, division, musician, joyous Right: -tion, -sion, -cian, -ous
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9
Which suffix turns adjectives into nouns? A) -ly B) -ness C) -ful D) -ing
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10
play + ed = ___ (no doubling, no y change). play + ed = ___
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Answer key

Suffix rules (-tion, -sion, -cian, -ous) · for parents and teachers

1
action
'Act' becomes 'action'. The suffix -tion turns a verb into a noun.
2
magician
'Magic' + '-ian' = 'magician', a person who does magic.
3
dangerous
'Dangerous' ends in -ous and means 'full of danger'.
4
happiness
When a word ends in consonant + y, change 'y' to 'i': happiness.
5
-cian
The suffix -cian is used for people who do a job, like 'magician' or 'musician'.
6
famous
Drop the 'e' from 'fame' and add -ous to make 'famous'.
7
vision
'Vision' uses the -sion suffix. It means the ability to see.
8
station → -tion; division → -sion; musician → -cian; joyous → -ous
Each word ends with a different suffix: -tion, -sion, -cian or -ous.
9
-ness
'-ness' turns adjectives into nouns: kindness, happiness, sadness.
10
played
'Played' - just add '-ed' because 'play' ends in a vowel + y.