Exploring Language

4.5 Noun Pluralization and Spelling: O-Endings

downloadable o-ending worksheet

 

1. Give the plural forms of these words.

potato

echo

tomato

hero

volcano

Write a rule to describe the spelling pattern. “When the word ends in __, then you ___.

 

2. Now consider these words and give their plural forms.

            radio

            studio

            zoo

            ratio

Write a rule to describe the spelling pattern of these words.

 

There are some exceptions to the patterns you found above. Some words have two correct plural spellings, such as zeros, zeroes; avocados, avocadoes, though one is more common. Which looks better to you?  Abbreviated words add only -s: kilos, photos. What are the unabbreviated forms of these words? And the plurals of o-ending words borrowed from Italian are spelled with just -s in the plural: pianos, concertos, solos, altos, sopranos.

 

             

© Deidre Carlson 2014.

 

 

key words: spelling, nouns, suffixes, morphology

 

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.3.2f Use spelling patterns and generalizations (e.g., word families, position-based spellings, syllable patterns, ending rules, meaningful word parts) in writing words. 

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.2d Spell grade-appropriate words correctly, consulting references as needed. 

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.5.2e Spell grade-appropriate words correctly, consulting references as needed.