Dividing Syllables worksheet for learning how to split words with prefixes and suffixes.

Explanation:
We are practicing how to divide syllables in words that have prefixes or suffixes — and also handling a special case when consonants are doubled.

Let’s go step by step:

Part 1: Underline the prefix or suffix, then draw a line to divide the syllables.
Rule: If a word has a prefix (like *re-*, *un-*, *care-* is not a prefix; *careless* → *care* + *less*, but *less* is a suffix) or suffix (like *-less*, *-er*, *-ing*, *-ful*, *-able*, etc.), we split the word between the prefix/suffix and the rest.

Let’s do each word:

1. reform
- Prefix: *re-*
- Rest: *form*
- Divide: re | form

2. careless
- Suffix: *-less*
- Root: *care*
- Divide: care | less

3. useful
- Suffix: *-ful*
- Root: *use*
- Divide: use | ful

4. making
- Suffix: *-ing*
- Root: *make* → but note: *make* ends with *e*, which is dropped before *-ing*, so it becomes *mak* + *ing*. Still, division is between root and suffix: mak | ing
However, for syllable division, we usually keep the base spelling: *mak* isn’t a real word, but in syllabication, we split after the root: mak | ing is correct. Some might write *ma | king*, but per the rule given (split between prefix/suffix and rest), and since *-ing* is the suffix, it's make | ing, but since *e* is silent and dropped, the written form is *making*, so we treat it as mak | ing. But standard syllabication for *making* is mak | ing (2 syllables). We’ll go with mak | ing.

Wait — let’s double-check the instruction: “divide the word between the prefix or suffix and the rest of the word.” So for *making*, the suffix is *-ing*, the rest is *make* → but *make* becomes *mak* when adding *-ing*. The worksheet example shows *singer* → *sing | er*, so they keep the root as it’s pronounced/spelled without the silent *e*. So *making* → mak | ing.

5. untie
- Prefix: *un-*
- Root: *tie*
- Divide: un | tie

6. rewrite
- Prefix: *re-*
- Root: *write*
- Divide: re | write

7. brighter
- Suffix: *-er*
- Root: *bright*
- Divide: bright | er

8. flying
- Suffix: *-ing*
- Root: *fly*
- Divide: fly | ing

9. unleash
- Prefix: *un-*
- Root: *leash*
- Divide: un | leash

10. stronger
- Suffix: *-er*
- Root: *strong*
- Divide: strong | er

11. painted
- Suffix: *-ed*
- Root: *paint*
- Divide: paint | ed

12. expire
- Prefix: *ex-*
- Root: *pire*? Wait — *expire* is from Latin *ex-* + *pirare*, but in English, we treat *ex-* as prefix. Yes, *ex-* is a prefix meaning “out”. So: ex | pire

However, check pronunciation: /ɪkˈspaɪər/ → 2 syllables: ex-pire. So ex | pire is correct.

Part 2: Exception — double consonants
Rule: If a consonant is doubled before adding a suffix, split between the two same consonants.

Words:

1. sadden
- Base: *sad* + *-den*? Actually, *sadden* = *sad* + *-den*, but the *d* is doubled: *sad* → *sadd* + *en*. So split between the double *d*: sad | den

2. manner
- From *man* + *-ner*, but *n* is doubled: *mann* + *er* → split between double *n*: man | ner

3. baggy
- From *bag* + *-gy*, *g* doubled: *bagg* + *y* → bag | gy

4. madder
- From *mad* + *-der*, *d* doubled: *madd* + *er* → mad | der

5. sitting
- From *sit* + *-ting*, *t* doubled: *sitt* + *ing* → sit | ting

6. thinner
- From *thin* + *-ner*, *n* doubled: *thinn* + *er* → thin | ner

7. fizzy
- From *fiz* + *-zy*, *z* doubled: *fizz* + *y* → fizz | y? Wait — spelling is *fizzy*, so double *z*. Split between the *z*s: fiz | zy

Yes — rule says “draw a line between the double consonants”, so between the two *z*s: fiz | zy

8. ragged
- From *rag* + *-ged*, *g* doubled: *ragg* + *ed* → rag | ged

9. trimming
- From *trim* + *-ming*, *m* doubled: *trimm* + *ing* → trim | ming

Now let’s list all answers clearly:

First section (prefix/suffix split):
- reform → re | form
- careless → care | less
- useful → use | ful
- making → mak | ing
- untie → un | tie
- rewrite → re | write
- brighter → bright | er
- flying → fly | ing
- unleash → un | leash
- stronger → strong | er
- painted → paint | ed
- expire → ex | pire

Second section (double consonant split):
- sadden → sad | den
- manner → man | ner
- baggy → bag | gy
- madder → mad | der
- sitting → sit | ting
- thinner → thin | ner
- fizzy → fiz | zy
- ragged → rag | ged
- trimming → trim | ming

All match the rules given.

Final Answer:
re | form
care | less
use | ful
mak | ing
un | tie
re | write
bright | er
fly | ing
un | leash
strong | er
paint | ed
ex | pire
sad | den
man | ner
bag | gy
mad | der
sit | ting
thin | ner
fiz | zy
rag | ged
trim | ming