Consonant Alternation
A suffix is a word part that comes at the end of a base word and changes the word’s meaning. Adding a suffix may change the sound of the consonant in the base word.
For example, in the word sign, the consonant g is silent.
When you add the suffix -al to make signal, the g is no longer silent.
This kind of change is called consonant alternation.
A. Read each pair of words. Circle the pair that has consonant alternation. Then write the letter that has a change in sound.
1. crumb/crumble flex/flexible ................
2. love/lovable design/designate ................
3. refuse/refusal office/official ................
4. create/creation propose/proposal ................
5. public/publicity suburb/suburban ................
2. love/lovable design/designate ................
3. refuse/refusal office/official ................
4. create/creation propose/proposal ................
5. public/publicity suburb/suburban ................