Suffixes: '-ly'
English Language: KS3, topic 1.3.6
Suffixes - 'ly'
Suffixes are letters or words placed at the end of words which change their meaning. When we add '-ly' to adjectives, they become adverbs, which are words that describe verbs. Let's look at some examples of words ending in 'ly'...
Sad → sadly
Final → finally
Sweet → sweetly
Painful → painfully
Suffixes - 'ly'
You have already learnt that adding '-ly' to the end of adjectives turns them into adverbs. But there are some exceptions you need to know about. Let's look at these exceptions...
Exception 1 - 'y' ending
- If the root word ends in a ‘y’, this is changed to an ‘i’.
- Happily (happy).
- Angrily (angry).
Exception 2 - 'le' ending
- If the root word ends ‘le’, it is changed to ‘ly’.
- Gently (gentle).
- Simply (simple).
Exception 3 - 'ic' ending
- If the root word ends ‘ic’, then ‘ally’ is added instead of ‘ly’.
- Dramatically (dramatic).
- Frantically (frantic).
Test yourself on Suffixes: '-ly'
What are adverbs?
What do we add to the end of adjectives to make adverbs?
Which of these are adverbs?
I want to use a form of the word 'nice' to describe a verb. What should I say?
What is the adverbial form of 'angry'?