Decoding Latin Suffixes Worksheets

Related ELA Standard: RF.3.3.B

Core Standard
Answer Keys Here

Such a vast number of words in the English language are rooted in the classical Latin language. The Latin language dates back to the fifth century. As Roman political power spread, so did the use of Latin through the people affected by their power. Suffixes are the ending letters of a word. Collectively Latin suffixes have a large role in modern English. Students will learn how to break down words and examine the role of Latin suffix within that word set.

Latin Suffix Worksheets:

Sufferin' Suffixes! – This is a neat word and sentence dissection activity.

Hark! Have you seen a suffix? – Similar to the past worksheet, but the words are isolated for you.

Crazy Cats – We focus on -ar and -ary. You are going to do a little sorting here.

Cut the Cake! – Slice the base word out of the cake.

Suffix Seahorse – Now we have you start to identify Latin suffixes.

What Do You Do? I'm a... – The suffix -ist means "one who". Underline the suffix in each word. Break it into parts and write the base word on the first line and the suffix on the second line.

Suffix in the Box – Draw a box around the suffix in each word. Follow the example.

Syllable Sam – Break each word down into its syllables. The last box you fill in should be the suffix.

Make It Yourself – Study the prefixes, root words and suffixes below. How many words can you make from these word parts?

Sammy the Swordfish – Help Sammy saw these words by filling in the chart below. Write the base word and the suffix for each word.

My Hero – Find and underline the word with a suffix in each sentence. Write the suffix on the line.

Word Recycling – This factory breaks words down into their parts so that they can be used to make new words. Fill out the chart for each word below.

Kitty Caper – These kittens like to play with suffixes. Get their attention by drawing a circle around the suffix in each word.

Word Scramble – Unscramble the word parts. Write the word on the line.

Making Adjectives with Suffixes – Read each root word. Add the suffix -able or -ible to each root word. Write each new word on the line in the correct column.

What are the Most Common Latin Suffixes?


Latin was the native language of the Romans. Soon after Romans conquered Europe, Latin language penetrated into the region which developed separate languages including Spanish, French and Portuguese.


Do you know England was conquered by Duke of Normandy back in 1066? Several words from French, the Latin sister language were borrowed into English during this era. As per linguists approximately 60% of our daily English vocabulary comes from Latin and French.


Back in the 17th and 18th century, grammarians and dictionary writers came up with the idea of adding Latin words to perfect the English language. They deliberately added Latin words with suffixes to improve English vocabulary. For instance, fraternity means brotherhood in the English language and was derived from the Latin word fraternitas.


Suffixes are a group of syllables that are added to the stem or root of a word to indicate their essential meanings. They may also help in altering the meaning or indicate the intentional part of speech. Latin suffixes are syllables that are added to Latin vocabulary. Here is a chart to help you understand better.


::::: "-able" and "–ible"


Purpose: These Latin suffixes help to form adjectives and refer to the meaning "worthy of or capable".

Example: Flexible, thinkable, and lovable.


::::: "-ation"


Purpose: These Latin suffixes formulate nouns and verbs.

Example: Information, innovation, civilization


::::: "-fy" and "-ify"


Purpose: These Latin suffixes make up verbs which refer to the meaning "to create or reason to become"

Example: purify, rectify and acidify


::::: "-ment"


Purpose: This Latin suffix forms verbs and nouns.

Example: Amusement, entertainment and astonishment.


::::: "-ty" and " ity"


Purpose: These Latin suffixes form verbs and adjectives.

Example: Royalty, Fraternity, Cruelty, similarity, and poverty.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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