Word Endings: -ing, -ed, -er
The Spark
Concept
Adding endings to words changes their meaning: -ing shows something is happening now, -ed shows it already happened, -er compares things or shows who does the action. Some base words need the final consonant doubled (run → running) or the final 'e' dropped (make → making) before adding the ending.
Activity
Say 'I am jumping' and then 'I jumped yesterday'. Ask your child what changed. Then ask: which word tells us it is happening right now?
Check
Can your child correctly add -ing and -ed to simple words? Do they notice when they need to double a letter or drop the 'e'?
Match Base Word to Its -ing Form
Draw a line from each base word to its correct -ing form.
Match Base Word to Its -ed Form
Draw a line from each base word to its correct -ed form.
Which -ing Spelling Is Correct? (Set A)
Circle the correctly spelled -ing word in each row.
She is ___.
They are ___.
He is ___.
We are ___.
Which -ed Spelling Is Correct? (Set A)
Circle the correctly spelled -ed word in each row.
He ___ the cake.
She ___ goodbye.
They ___ at the door.
He ___ across the park.
Add -ing to These Words
Add -ing to each base word. Remember the spelling rules: double the final consonant OR drop the 'e'.
jump → ___
bake → ___
swim → ___
wave → ___
clap → ___
ride → ___
Add -ed to These Words
Add -ed to each base word. Apply the correct spelling rule for each one.
jump → ___
bake → ___
clap → ___
smile → ___
hop → ___
race → ___
Sort the Words: Which Rule Do You Use?
Sort these base words into the correct column based on which spelling rule you need.
Sort by Ending Used
Read each word. Sort it into the column for the ending it uses.
Add -er to These Words
Add -er to each base word to make a comparing word or a 'person who does' word.
fast → ___
swim → ___
teach → ___
tall → ___
run → ___
Match the -er Word to Its Meaning
Draw a line from each -er word to its correct meaning.
Choose the Correct Ending
Circle the word that correctly completes each sentence.
She is ___ to school right now.
He ___ the door yesterday.
She is a great ___.
The new car is ___ than the old one.
Add All Three Endings
Add -ing, -ed, and -er to each base word. Apply the spelling rules correctly.
hop → -ing: ___ -ed: ___ -er: ___
bake → -ing: ___ -ed: ___ -er: ___
jump → -ing: ___ -ed: ___ -er: ___
run → -ing: ___ -ed: ___ -er: ___
ride → -ing: ___ -ed: ___ -er: ___
Write Sentences Using Word Endings
Write a sentence using each word below. Use your neatest handwriting!
Write a sentence using 'jumping'.
Write a sentence using 'baked'.
Write a sentence using 'faster'.
Put the Sentences in Time Order
These sentences describe events in order. Number them 1–4 based on when each event happened.
Sort by Base Word Rule: Harder Words
Look at each base word. Sort it by the rule you need before adding -ing or -ed.
Apply the Rules to Harder Base Words
Add -ing and -ed to each word. Explain which rule you used.
admit → -ing: ___ -ed: ___ Rule: ___
dance → -ing: ___ -ed: ___ Rule: ___
prefer → -ing: ___ -ed: ___ Rule: ___
begin → -ing: ___ -ed: ___ Rule: ___
Which -ing Spelling Is Correct? (Set B)
Circle the correctly spelled -ing word.
She is ___.
They were ___.
He is ___.
She was ___.
Write Past Tense Sentences (-ed)
Rewrite each present tense sentence in the past tense by changing the verb to its -ed form.
She walks to school. → Past: ___
He bakes a cake. → Past: ___
They jump in the puddle. → Past: ___
She smiles at the camera. → Past: ___
Change Past to Present (-ed to -ing)
Rewrite each past tense sentence so it is happening right now (use -ing).
He kicked the ball. → He is ___.
She sang a song. → She is ___.
They watched a movie. → They are ___.
He climbed the tree. → He is ___.
Match the Base Word to Both Its -ing and -ed Forms
Draw a line from the base word to both its -ing form and its -ed form.
Sort the -er Words by Meaning
Sort each -er word into the correct column: does it compare something or name a person/thing?
Is the Ending Used Correctly?
Circle the sentence that uses the word ending correctly.
Which is correct?
Which is correct?
Which is correct?
Write Three Sentences: -ing, -ed, -er
Write one sentence using an -ing word, one using an -ed word, and one using an -er word. Each sentence should be about something you enjoy doing.
My -ing sentence:
My -ed sentence:
My -er sentence:
Order the Story Events (Word Endings Clues)
These sentences tell a story. Use verb tense clues to put them in time order (1–5).
Explain the Spelling Rule
Explain in your own words why we double the consonant in 'hop → hopping' but not in 'jump → jumping'.
My explanation:
Another example of the doubling rule: ___
Word Ending Hunt
Go on a word ending hunt! Look at books, signs, food packets and labels around your home.
- 1Find 5 words ending in -ing and write them down
- 2Find 5 words ending in -ed and write them down
- 3Find 3 words ending in -er and write them down
- 4Check if any -ing or -ed words follow the spelling rules you learned
Proofread: Fix the Word Ending Errors
Read the paragraph below. Find and correct 5 word ending spelling mistakes. Write the corrected version. She was hopeing to go to the park. She runed outside and claped her hands with excitement. Then she rided her bike down the street.
Corrected paragraph:
The 5 mistakes I found:
Sort by Spelling Rule Used
These words have already had -ing or -ed added. Sort them by which spelling rule was used.
Build a Word Ending Table
Complete the table by filling in all three forms for each base word. Apply the correct rules.
Base: stop | -ing: ___ | -ed: ___ | -er: ___
Base: write | -ing: ___ | -ed: ___ | -er: ___
Base: teach | -ing: ___ | -ed: ___ | -er: ___
Base: big | -ing: N/A | -ed: N/A | -er: ___
Base: fast | -ing: N/A | -ed: N/A | -er: ___
Regular or Irregular Past Tense?
Sort each past tense verb into 'Regular (-ed)' or 'Irregular (changes completely)'.
Match the Irregular Past Tense
Draw a line from the base verb to its correct irregular past tense form.
Word Ending Story Game
Play a storytelling game using word endings. One person says a sentence with -ed (past), the other continues with -ing (now happening), then use -er to compare characters.
- 1One person says a sentence with a past tense (-ed) verb
- 2The next person continues the story using a present tense (-ing) verb
- 3The next person adds a comparison using an -er word
- 4Keep going until the story has 8–10 sentences!
Write a Paragraph Using -ing, -ed and -er
Write a paragraph (5–6 sentences) about a sport or activity you enjoy. Include at least 2 -ing words, 2 -ed words and 1 -er word. Underline and label each one.
My paragraph:
My word endings list:
Spot the Error in Each Sentence
Each sentence has one word ending error. Circle the incorrect word.
She was hopeing the bus would arrive soon.
He rided his bike all the way home.
They were swiming in the pool.
She is a quicklier runner than her sister.
Sort the Underlined Words
Read each sentence. Find the underlined word and sort it by its word ending.
Rewrite the Paragraph Correcting All Errors
Read the paragraph below. Find and correct ALL word ending errors. Write the corrected version. The children were swiming in the pool. One girl was a quickier swimmer than the rest. She had practiceed for months, trainning every day after school. She hoped that all her hard work had payed off.
Corrected paragraph:
Errors I found (list them):
Match the Sentence to the Tense
Draw a line from each sentence to the tense it is written in.
Tense Timeline Writing
Write 3 sentences about the same event: one in the past (-ed), one happening now (-ing), and one comparing two things (-er).
Past (-ed): ___
Happening now (-ing): ___
Comparison (-er): ___
Write Using Past Continuous
Write 4 sentences in the past continuous tense (was/were + -ing). Describe what different family members were doing last Saturday afternoon.
Sentence 1:
Sentence 2:
Sentence 3:
Sentence 4:
Choose -er or -est?
Circle the correct comparative or superlative form in each sentence.
She is the ___ runner in the school.
This bag is ___ than that one.
He is the ___ in his class.
This road is ___ than the other one.
Using -er and -est in Sentences
Write a sentence using the -er form AND the -est form of each adjective.
fast → -er sentence: ___ -est sentence: ___
tall → -er sentence: ___ -est sentence: ___
strong → -er sentence: ___ -est sentence: ___
Sort the -er and -est Words
Sort these words into 'comparing two (-er)' or 'comparing three or more (-est)'.
Write a Descriptive Paragraph Using All Three Endings
Write a descriptive paragraph (6–7 sentences) about a race or competition. Include at least 3 -ing words, 3 -ed words, and 2 -er/-est words. Label each one in the margin.
My paragraph:
Word Ending Read-Aloud Activity
During your next read-aloud, listen for -ing, -ed and -er words. Tap the table whenever you hear one.
- 1Tap once for -ing words, twice for -ed words, three times for -er words
- 2Keep a tally of how many of each type you hear in one chapter
- 3Write down 3 interesting -ing or -ed verbs from the book
- 4Can you find a past continuous sentence (was/were + -ing) in the book?
Explain -ed, -ing and -er to a Younger Child
Write a short explanation (4–5 sentences) that a Year 1 student could understand about the three word endings. Use examples in your explanation.
My explanation:
Creative Writing: Word Endings Embedded
Write a short story (6–8 sentences) about an adventure. Your story must include: 3 -ing verbs, 4 -ed verbs, 2 -er comparisons, and 1 -est superlative. Underline and label each one.
My story:
My word endings checklist:
Add -er or Use 'more'?
Sort each adjective — should you add -er or use 'more ___' to compare?
Write a Comparison Using -er and 'more'
Write 4 sentences comparing two things you know (people, animals, books, etc.). Use -er for short adjectives and 'more' for longer ones.
Sentence 1 (using -er):
Sentence 2 (using 'more'):
Sentence 3 (using -er):
Sentence 4 (using 'more'):
Final Review Sort: All Three Endings
Sort these words and phrases into the correct column.
Analyse Word Endings: Reflective Writing
Answer each question in full sentences using examples from your own writing or reading.
Why do you think the doubling rule exists for words like 'hop → hopping'? What would happen if we didn't double the consonant?
Explain the difference between 'he was running' and 'he ran'. When would you use each?
When is it better to use -er vs 'more'? Give two examples of each.
Advanced Sort: Stress-Dependent Doubling
These two-syllable words sometimes double the final consonant depending on stress. Sort them: double if the stress is on the LAST syllable, don't double if the stress is on the FIRST syllable.
Research: Other Common Suffixes
You have learned -ing, -ed and -er. Research these other suffixes: -ment, -ness, -ful. Find 3 example words for each and write a sentence using one word from each group.
-ment words: ___
-ness words: ___
-ful words: ___
My three sentences:
Extended Writing: A Day in the Life
Write a full page about a day in the life of an interesting character (real or invented). Use: at least 5 -ing verbs, 5 -ed verbs, 3 -er comparisons, and 2 -est superlatives. Highlight each with a coloured pencil and label it in the margin.
My extended writing:
Word endings I used:
Write a Persuasive Text Using Word Endings
Write a persuasive paragraph (6–8 sentences) arguing for something you believe in (e.g. why reading is valuable, why sport is important). Use precise -ing, -ed and -er words to make your argument stronger. Underline each one.
My persuasive paragraph:
Sort the Word Forms by Function
Sort each underlined word by its grammatical function.
Teach the Rules: Write a Grammar Guide
Write a clear grammar guide (8–10 sentences) explaining the rules for adding -ing, -ed and -er to base words. Include examples for each rule, a tip about irregular verbs, and advice about -er vs 'more'.
My grammar guide:
Is the -ed Word a Verb or an Adjective?
Read each sentence. Is the underlined -ed word working as a verb (action) or an adjective (description)?
Use -ed Adjectives in Descriptive Writing
Write 5 sentences describing a setting (a forest, a beach, an old house, etc.). Each sentence must include at least one -ed adjective (e.g. twisted branches, faded paint, broken steps).
Sentence 1:
Sentence 2:
Sentence 3:
Sentence 4:
Sentence 5:
Use -ing Nouns (Gerunds) in Sentences
Write a sentence where an -ing word is the subject (the main topic) of the sentence. Do this for 4 different activities.
Sentence using 'Reading': ___
Sentence using 'Swimming': ___
Sentence using 'Writing': ___
Sentence using 'Running': ___
Analyse a Paragraph: Word Endings
Read this paragraph. Find every -ing, -ed and -er word. Label each one and explain its grammatical function. Paragraph: 'Lena had been training for months, pushing herself harder every day. She was determined to become a stronger and faster runner. Last Tuesday, she entered the district competition and finished first, crossing the line with a relieved smile.'
Words I found and their functions:
Total -ing words: ___ Total -ed words: ___ Total -er words: ___
Write a Complex Narrative
Write a narrative (at least 12 sentences) that demonstrates your full understanding of -ing, -ed and -er. Use: gerunds (-ing as nouns), past continuous (was/were + -ing), -ed adjectives, -er comparisons, and irregular past tense verbs. Highlight and label your examples in the margin.
My narrative:
Create a Word Ending Study Guide
Design a study guide for someone who wants to learn about -ing, -ed and -er. Include: the three spelling rules, examples for each rule, irregular verb examples, and a tip about -er vs 'more'. Make it clear and easy to understand.
My study guide:
Reflective Writing: My Word Ending Journey
Write a reflective paragraph about what you have learned about -ing, -ed and -er. Include: what you found easy, what was tricky, one surprising thing you learned, and how you will use this knowledge in your writing.
My reflection: