Prefix and suffix dominoes

2008 www.teachitworld.com 9678 Page 1 of 4

Teachers notes
The dominoes provided here are examples. If you would like to practise other
vocabulary with your students, they can be adapted to suit. Two sets of rules are
provided here, one for lower-level and one for higher-level students.
1. Before the lesson, photocopy and cut up the dominoes. The root words should be
cut out individually and the prefix/ suffix cards in their pairs of one prefix and one
suffix.
2. At the start of the lesson, explain the rules then deal out the dominoes so that
everyone has an equal number.
Rules for lower-level students:
The first player must play either a root word or a prefix/ suffix piece.
Player two must then play either a prefix or suffix on the root word, or find a root word
that fits with the prefix/ suffix. The cards must be played linearly, i.e. with the root
words or prefix/ suffixes the same way up and reading from left to right.
If a player lays down a piece that doesnt fit, they must take the piece back and lose their
turn. If a player cannot put down a piece, play moves to the next player. If the next
player cannot add a piece to the existing chain, they may start a new chain by playing a
new root word or prefix/ suffix piece.
The game is over when one player is out of cards, or no more combinations are possible.
Rules for higher-level students:
The first player must play either a root word or a prefix/ suffix piece.
Player two must then play either a prefix or suffix on the root word, or find a root word
that fits with the prefix/ suffix. The cards may be played in any direction, i.e. they do not
have to read from left to right, but can also read up and down and may cross over.
If a player lays down a piece that doesnt fit, they must take the piece back and lose their
turn. If a player cannot put down a piece, play moves to the next player.
The game is over when one player is out of cards, or no more combinations are possible.
Prefix and suffix dominoes
2008 www.teachitworld.com 9678 Page 2 of 4
Root words:

help agree assemble break
connect reliable tire honest
possible remove profit accept
responsible believe efficient harm
smoker hour organised able
understand pain visible accurate
stop use trust improve
direct mortal replace logical
legal loyal dependent friendly
patient avoid inform power
comfortable personal colour led
different patient regular attentive
Prefix and suffix dominoes
2008 www.teachitworld.com 9678 Page 3 of 4
patient avoid regular attentive
comfortable personal mature polite
different patient considerate respect
advantage native considerate respect
inform power mature polite
colour led advantage native


Prefixes/ Suffixes:

ful un able in
able dis able un
ment non- able dis
able mis ment im
ly in able un
Prefix and suffix dominoes
2008 www.teachitworld.com 9678 Page 4 of 4
ful im ment dis
able dis in non-
ful in il im
able ful un mis
ful non- dis im
able ir non- in
ly im dis mis
ful dis dis in
able ir im in
able un in il
ly re im dis