Welcome to Word Building!

In this chapter, we are going to become word detectives. We will learn how to change the meaning of a word by adding letters to the front, and how to spot a very special ending that makes a "shun" sound. These skills will help you become a better reader and a fantastic speller!

Section 1: The Prefix 'un-'

A prefix is a group of letters that we add to the start of a word to change what it means. The prefix we are looking at is un-.

What does 'un-' do?

When we add un- to the beginning of a word, it usually means not or it undoes what the word says. It’s like a "magic opposite" button!

1. Changing Adjectives (Describing Words)

If you add un- to a word that describes something, it makes it the opposite.

Example:
If you are happy, you are smiling.
If you add un-, you are unhappy (not happy).

  • kind becomes unkind (not kind)
  • fair becomes unfair (not fair)
  • well becomes unwell (not well/sick)
  • safe becomes unsafe (not safe)

2. Changing Verbs (Doing Words)

When we add un- to a verb, it usually means doing the opposite action or "undoing" something.

Example:
You zip up your coat before going outside.
When you come back in, you unzip your coat.

  • tie becomes untie
  • fold becomes unfold
  • lock becomes unlock
  • wrap becomes unwrap

Quick Tip: If you aren't sure if a word needs un-, try saying it out loud. Most words that start with un- just have the root word sitting right there behind the prefix!

Key Takeaway:

Adding un- to the start of a word means not or doing the opposite. It is a simple way to build a brand-new word!


Section 2: Words Ending in -tion

Sometimes, words have special endings called suffixes. One very common ending in Year 2 is -tion.

The "shun" Sound

The trickiest thing about -tion is how it sounds. Even though it is spelled with a t, it sounds like "shun" (like the end of the word "fashion").

Common -tion Words

Here are some words you might see in your reading books that end in -tion:

  • station (where the train stops)
  • fiction (a story that is made up)
  • motion (moving around)
  • action (doing something)
  • section (a part of something)
  • caption (words under a picture)

Memory Trick: The "-tion" Station

Imagine a big train station. To remember how to spell this sound, think: "I am going to the Sta-tion." If you can spell station, you can remember that the "shun" sound is spelled t-i-o-n.

Common Mistake to Avoid: Don't let your ears trick you! Even though it sounds like "shun," we almost never spell it with an 'sh' at the end of these words. Always look for the -tion.

Key Takeaway:

The letters -tion usually come at the end of a word and make a "shun" sound, like in the word station.


Quick Review Quiz

Test your new word-building powers!

1. What is the opposite of lucky? (Hint: add a prefix!)
Answer: unlucky

2. How do you spell the "shun" sound at the end of the word fic____?
Answer: -tion

3. If you load the dishwasher, what do you do when the dishes are clean?
Answer: You unload it!


What's Next?

You’ve mastered un- and -tion! To learn more about changing the ends of words, you can look at our notes on other endings like -ment, -ness, -ful, -less, and -ly.