Adding -ful
(Only use full when full)
Which is the correct spelling for these words?
a. hopeful or hopefull?
b. beautiful or beautifull?
c. grateful or gratefull?
d. wonderful or wonderfull?
Answers below
When we add -ful to the end of words it makes wonderful adjectives: beautiful, stressful, helpful; and a handful of nouns: headful, bucketful, eyeful.
Answer (notice they all end on -ful)
hopeful
beautiful
grateful
wonderful
Can you see there's only one l in -ful at the end of these words?
-ful in these words is called a suffix, which is a little word we put on the end of words to change the meaning.
By adding -ful to words, we can make adjectives:
wonderful
useful
successful
dreadful
careful
helpful
frightful
delightful
forgetful
beautiful (the y in beauty becomes i — beautiful)
plentiful (the y in plenty becomes i — plentiful)
merciful (the y in mercy becomes i — merciful)
fanciful (the y in fancy becomes i — fanciful)
We can also add -ful to nouns and make another noun:
bucketful
mouthful
handful
cupful
spoonful
pocketful
bagful
headful
Adding -ly
When we add -ly to words ending in -ful then we have double ‘l’ -fully:
gratefully
faithfully
hopefully
We only use full when full when it’s alone:
Full up
Full on
It's full
Full marks
A full sandwich
A full train etc
This is one of the most straightforward and easiest of the spelling rules.
Remember only use full when full but when making adjectives and nouns add -ful.
Do the spelling test below and check you've understood this rule. There's always a difference between knowing a rule and actually spelling it correctly. Go on grab a pen and paper and prove you can do it.
Answers below.
Spelling test answers with sentences.
1. That dress is very colourful.
2. I'm very grateful for your help.
3. My country is so beautiful.
4. I had a dreadful day yesterday.
5. I hope this is useful and helpful.
6. Please be careful, it's very full.
7. My job search was successful, I now have a wonderful job.
Do the word search below.
Click here to go to the Adding all, till, full rule
Click here for more spelling lessons.
Click here to go to the Adding all, till, full rule
Click here for more spelling lessons.