lesson
Check special ly spellings
1 · Learn
Many adverbs are formed by adding ly, but the spelling can change. Happy becomes happily and gentle becomes gently. After ic, many words add ally: basic becomes basically and dramatic becomes dramatically. Public is an exception: publicly, not publically in the standard spelling practised here.
Learn true → truly, due → duly and whole → wholly as special pairs. Wholly means completely; duly can mean at the proper time or in the proper way. Compare the letters instead of trusting sound alone.
2 · Worked example
In 'The rules were explained publicly', publicly tells us the explanation was given openly, not privately. I keep public and add ly. In 'I wholly agree', wholly means completely; whole loses e and has two l letters before y.
3 · Your turn
Choose the standard spelling: truelly/truly, basically/basicly, wholly/wholely. Use one in a sentence and explain its meaning.
Check your answer
truly, basically, wholly. For example, 'The drawing is wholly my own work' means all of it is my work. Accept another sentence that uses the chosen adverb meaningfully.
4 · Apply your learning
Make a two-column list of four root/adverb pairs. Cover the adverbs, write them from memory, then mark the exact changed or added letters. Ask an adult to dictate one sentence using a pair.
Adult guidance and safety
Read and discuss whole books, poems and plays alongside these original short models. Give evidence for interpretations and accept well-supported alternatives. Revisit spelling and handwriting over time; retain individual decoding support where needed.
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