These are not spelling patterns like the last three lessons. They are pieces added onto a word that is already there.
Step 1: Let's Learn
Read it, or press Listen and follow the words.
The word underneath stays
Jumped is jump with -ed. Jumping is jump with -ing. Jumps is jump with -s. Jump is still in all three.
Base word The word that is left when you take the ending off.
So you can cover the ending
If a long word looks hard, cover the ending with your finger. What is left is usually a word you know.
Endings change the meaning
-s means more than one, or he does it. -ed means it already happened. -ing means it is happening now.
-ed has three sounds
Jumped ends /t/. Played ends /d/. Wanted ends /id/. Same two letters, three different sounds.
You do not choose which
The sound before the -ed decides it. You will get it right by saying the word, not by remembering a rule.
Sometimes the base changes a little
Hop becomes hopping, with two p’s. Make becomes making, losing its e. The base is still there underneath.
This idea gets bigger
Later you meet endings like -ful, -less and -ness, and beginnings like un- and re-. Same idea, more pieces.
Step 2: Watch an Example
One step at a time.
Covering the Ending
Sam meets the word jumping.
- Step 1
It looks long and unfamiliar.
Three Sounds for -ed
Ana says three past-tense words.
- Step 1
Jumped. The ending sounds like /t/.
The Base Changing Slightly
Sam writes hopping.
- Step 1
The base word is hop.
Step 3: Your Turn
Practice makes it stick.
A Long Word
Problem 1 of 2
You meet "planting" and it looks hard. What can you do?
hoping and hopping
Problem 2 of 2
Why does hopping have two p’s?
Endings and Base Words
1 of 5
What is the base word in jumped?
2 of 5
What does -ed usually mean?
3 of 5
How many sounds can -ed make?
4 of 5
What is a good first step with a long unfamiliar word?
5 of 5
What is the base word in making?
Step 4: Quick Check
Show what you know.
Question 1 of 1
How are endings different from the other patterns in this chapter?
What You Learned
- An ending is added to a whole word that stays underneath.
- Cover the ending and the base word is usually one you know.
- Endings carry meaning: more than one, already happened, happening now.
- -ed has three sounds, and your mouth chooses automatically.