Endings: -ing, -ed, -er, -est

For grown-ups: this lesson in words

Years 1 and 2 · English

Endings: -ing, -ed, -er, -est: I can add ing, ed, er and est to words.

1. Here is the root word jump.

   Add the ending, or suffix, ing. Jump stays the same.

   jumping! It means doing it: I am jumping.

   Picture: The root word "jump" and the suffix "ing" join to make "jumping". It means "doing it".

2. Here is the root word jump again.

   Add the ending ed. Jump stays the same.

   jumped! It means it happened before now.

   Picture: The root word "jump" and the suffix "ed" join to make "jumped". It means "it happened before now".

3. Here is the root word help.

   Add the ending er. Help stays the same.

   helper! A helper is a person who helps.

   Picture: The root word "help" and the suffix "er" join to make "helper". It means "a person who helps".

4. Your turn: Which word means a person who paints?

   Choose one:

   • painting
   • painted
   • painter

   Answer

   The answer: painter

   paint add er.

   painter: a person who paints.

   Picture: The root word "paint" and the suffix "er" join to make "painter". It means "a person who paints".

Words to know

root word:

The word we start with, before we add an ending.

suffix:

An ending we add to a word, like ing or ed.