Created by Dawn Battin
17 questions
3rd Grade
ELA
Updated Oct 2026
Change y to i and add a vowel suffix is a Grade 3 English worksheet that helps students apply spelling rules for base words ending in y. Across 17 items—13 multiple-choice questions and 4 drag-and-drop sentence items—students form words with -ed, -es, and -est, deciding when y changes to i, as in spy to spied, lady to ladies, and crazy to craziest, and when y stays, as in play to played. The worksheet moves from selecting correctly spelled words to using forms such as flies, ponies, tried, taffies, and candied in sentence contexts. This progression gives students practice recognizing the spelling pattern in isolation and applying it while completing meaningful sentences. It is a free printable worksheet with a complete answer key, suitable for Grade 3 spelling, grammar, independent practice, review, or a quick formative assessment.
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WorksheetsAnswer Keyspied
ladies
fries
pennies
craziest
babies
studied
hobbies
cities
played
tries
happiest
lazier
This Grade 3 English worksheet focuses on spelling words that end in y when adding -ed, -es, or -est. Its 13 multiple-choice items and 4 drag-and-drop sentence items require students to change y to i in words such as spy, lady, and crazy, while recognizing exceptions such as play becoming played.
First, model a few base words from the worksheet and have students identify whether the y changes before adding -ed, -es, or -est. Then use the multiple-choice items to check the spelling pattern and follow with the drag-and-drop sentences so students apply forms such as flies, ponies, tried, and candied in context. Ask students to explain why play becomes played rather than plaied.
Students may keep the y when they should change it, producing forms such as ladys, fryes, or citys, or they may add an incorrect ending, such as spyed or tryed. In the drag-and-drop items, watch for students who choose a plausible-looking spelling without checking whether it fits the sentence, such as flyes instead of flies or ponyes instead of ponies. Also check that they notice when y stays in played.
The “Change y to i and add a vowel suffix” worksheet is available as a printable PDF and as a digital quiz on Wayground, and it includes a complete answer key for all 17 items. For printable submissions, you can grade student work by scanning it with the Wayground for Teachers app. The PDF option can also support schools that are reducing screen time.
Use the worksheet’s Advanced Settings to adjust font spacing or increase the font size so the spelling choices and drag-and-drop sentences are easier to read. You can also apply a dyslexia-friendly font or translate the worksheet into another language when that support is useful. These options can make items such as ladies, studied, and candied more accessible without changing the targeted spelling skill.
Wayground offers a broad collection of free printable worksheets and practice problems across subjects, with downloadable PDFs and answer keys to support essential skills and concepts. Browse more resources at https://wayground.com/en-us/worksheets.