Word Formation Worksheets and Exam Practice
46 worksheets and 4 vocabulary decks · Word power
Start here — 9 free samples
Free to try: open, print and play them — no account needed.
Word formation worksheets
46 printable worksheets with answer keys; the 24 most used, easiest level first.
Word formation vocabulary
4 word decks with meanings, examples and pronunciation: flip, quiz, print as flashcards or play as a game.
About Word formation
Word formation is about building new words from a root by adding prefixes and suffixes or changing the word class: happy → unhappy → happiness; decide → decision → indecisive. Knowing common suffixes (-ment, -ness, -ity, -ful, -less, -ous) and negative prefixes (un-, in-, im-, ir-, il-, dis-) lets learners multiply their vocabulary.
Word formation is taught from B1 and is especially important at B2–C2, since it is a dedicated task in Cambridge B2 First, C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency Use of English papers. Typical difficulties include choosing the right negative prefix, spelling changes (argue → argument, not arguement), and needing a plural or a negative form in context.
This page provides printable word formation worksheets with answer keys (print as PDF or set online via a class link) and vocabulary decks for word families.
Teaching tips: Word formation
- Train learners to identify the word class needed from the gap first: an article before the gap usually signals a noun.
- Watch for missing negatives and plurals: in exam gaps the meaning of the whole sentence often requires unreliable or requirements, not just reliable or requirement.
- Build word family tables (verb, noun, adjective, adverb, opposite) on the board as new vocabulary comes up.
- Teach im- before b, m and p (impossible), il- before l (illegal) and ir- before r (irregular) as patterns with exceptions.
Questions teachers ask
What is the word formation task in Cambridge exams?
In B2 First, C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency, Reading and Use of English Part 3 is a text with eight gaps, and candidates change a given stem word to fit each one.
Is there a rule for un- or in-?
There is no complete rule. Un- is more common with native English words and -ed/-ing adjectives, while in- and its variants often attach to Latin-based words, but learners should check each word.
How early can I introduce suffixes?
Simple suffixes such as -er for people (teacher, player) and -ful (helpful) work at A2. Systematic word-family work fits best from B1.