Words Ending in '-fer'
English: Year 5 & 6 National Curriculum, topic 1.3.10
Words Ending in '-fer'
Word ending in '-fer'
- When you add a suffix to a word that ends with '-fer', listen to the sound of the 'r' in '-fer'.
- This will help you decide if you should write just an 'r' or use 'rr' before the suffix.
The 'r' sound
- If the 'r' sound is stressed when we say the word, then we double the 'r' when we write it.
- If the 'r' sound is NOT stressed when we say the word, then we use a single 'r' when we write it.
Examples
- 'Refer' → 'referrence' ('r' sound not stressed).
- 'Refer' → 'referring', 'referred', 'referral' ('r' sound stressed).
- 'Prefer' → 'preference' ('r' sound not stressed).
- 'Prefer' → 'preferring', 'preferred' ('r' sound stressed).
Another example
- 'Transfer' → 'transference' ('r' sound not stressed).
- 'Transfer' → 'transferring', 'transferred' ('r' sound stressed).
Test yourself on Words Ending in '-fer'
Which word correctly completes the sentence?
Alvin ____ table tennis to football.
Which sentence is correct?