What are Suffixes?

Suffixes –y and –ly

A suffix is a word part added to the end of a base word that changes the meaning of the word.

The suffix

–y means “having or like” something. It changes a base word into an adjective. 

The suffix –ly means “in a way that is or like” something. It changes a base word into an adverb that explains how or when something is done.

When you add –y or –ly to a base word, the base word’s spelling may change. 

Rules:

To add the suffix –y to a base word ending in e, you may need to drop the final e before adding the suffix.

To add the suffix –ly to a base word ending in y, you need to change the final y to i before adding the suffix.

Source: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. (2020). Into Reading: Teacher’s Guide Module 2, Grade 3. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. https://www.hmhco.com