Comparison of Roots and Derivatives

(All root words occurred in the sixth grade minimum list.)

abbreviate	78	abbreviates	75
absence	85	absences	75
accident	90	accidents	77
arrange	92	arranging	86
attack	94	attacked	87
		attacking	94
boundary	87	boundaries	67
century	93	centuries	77
commence	85	commenced	81
		commencing	74
conquer	89	conquered	80
deceive	80	deceiving	70
decide	87	decided	85
		deciding	85
describe	82	describing	76
industry	96	industries	79
judge	98	judges	93
material	84	materials	75
mosquito	94	mosquitoes	59
recognize	87	recognized	85
return	98	returned	93
		returning	95
salary	86	salaries	77
telegraph	98	telegraphed	90
telephone	98	telephoned	95
ventilate	87	ventilated	85
wharf	99	wharves	69

In every case but one (attacking) the derivative proved itself a harder word to spell even though it, too, had been taught. Since it is important that children should know how to spell such common words as “judges,” “mosquitoes,” etc., as well as the root word, many derived forms must be considered as presenting new spelling problems and taught as such. Since it is impossible to teach all derivatives and the needs of the pupils are varied, careful training in the formation of derivatives must be given.