Welcome to our article on suffixes! In this article, we will explore the most common suffixes in English and provide examples of how they are used. We will cover suffixes for adjectives, nouns, verbs, and adverbs, as well as suffixes that can be used for multiple parts of speech. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of how suffixes work and be able to use them to improve your writing and communication skills.
List of Suffixes
Suffixes Overview
Definition of Suffixes
A suffix is a group of letters added to the end of a word to change its meaning or function. Suffixes can be used to alter a word’s tense, form a new word, or create an adjective, adverb, or noun from a verb. In English, suffixes are usually added to the end of a root word, but they can also be added to the beginning or middle of a word.
Importance of Suffixes in English
Suffixes are an essential part of the English language, and they play a crucial role in building vocabulary and improving writing skills. By understanding the meaning of suffixes, learners can easily recognize and use new words. Suffixes also help learners to understand the grammatical function of words in a sentence.
Here are some common suffixes and their meanings:
| Suffix | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -able | capable of | readable |
| -al | relating to | musical |
| -ful | full of | cheerful |
| -ic | relating to | artistic |
| -ish | somewhat | childish |
| -less | without | hopeless |
| -ly | in a certain way | quickly |
| -ment | action or process | movement |
| -ness | state or quality | happiness |
| -ous | full of | dangerous |
| -y | characterized by | rainy |
List of Suffixes
Learning English suffixes is important for expanding your vocabulary and improving your writing skills. In this section, we will cover the most common English suffixes and their meanings.
Noun Suffixes
Noun suffixes are added to the end of a base word to create a new noun. Here are some common noun suffixes in English:
| Suffix | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -ment | action or process | movement |
| -ness | state or quality | happiness |
| -ity | state or quality | creativity |
| -tion | state or quality | education |
| -ance | state or quality | importance |
Example sentences:
- The movement for equality gained momentum in the 1960s.
- Her happiness was evident in her smile.
- His creativity led to the invention of a new product.
- Education is the key to success.
- The importance of family cannot be overstated.
Verb Suffixes
Verb suffixes are added to the end of a base word to create a new verb. Here are some common verb suffixes in English:
| Suffix | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -ify | to make or become | simplify |
| -ize | to make or become | modernize |
| -en | to make or become | deepen |
| -ate | to make or become | activate |
| -ify | to make or become | terrify |
Example sentences:
- We need to simplify the process to make it more efficient.
- The company decided to modernize its technology.
- His experience in the field deepened his understanding.
- The new software will activate the security system.
- The horror movie will terrify audiences.
Adjective Suffixes
Adjective suffixes are added to the end of a base word to create a new adjective. Here are some common adjective suffixes in English:
| Suffix | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -able/-ible | capable of | understandable |
| -ful | full of | hopeful |
| -ish | somewhat | childish |
| -less | without | hopeless |
| -ous | full of | dangerous |
Example sentences:
- The instructions should be understandable for everyone.
- She was hopeful that she would get the job.
- His behavior was childish and immature.
- The situation seemed hopeless.
- The dangerous situation required immediate action.
Adverb Suffixes
Adverb suffixes are added to the end of a base word to create a new adverb. Here are some common adverb suffixes in English:
| Suffix | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -ly | in a certain way | slowly |
| -ward(s) | in the direction of | forward |
| -wise | in the manner of | otherwise |
Example sentences:
- The turtle moved slowly across the road.
- The car was moving forward on the highway.
- We need to think about the problem from an objective standpoint, otherwise we will not find a solution.
Suffixes and Word Formation
In English, suffixes are a great way to expand your vocabulary and create new words. A suffix is a group of letters added to the end of a word that changes its meaning or function. In this section, we will explore two types of suffixes: inflectional suffixes and derivational suffixes.
Inflectional Suffixes
Inflectional suffixes are added to a word to indicate tense, number, or possession. These suffixes do not change the meaning of the word. Here are some common examples of inflectional suffixes in English:
| Inflectional Suffix | Example Word | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| -s (plural) | dogs | I saw three dogs at the park. |
| -ed (past tense) | walked | Yesterday, I walked to the store. |
| -ing (present participle) | running | She is always running late. |
| -‘s (possessive) | Sarah’s | That is Sarah’s book. |
Derivational Suffixes
Derivational suffixes are added to a word to create a new word with a different meaning. These suffixes can change the part of speech of the word. Here are some common examples of derivational suffixes in English:
| Derivational Suffix | Example Word | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| -ful (full of) | wonderful | The view from the top of the mountain was wonderful. |
| -less (without) | homeless | The shelter provides housing for homeless people. |
| -ment (action or process) | movement | The civil rights movement fought for equality. |
| -ize/-ise (to make or become) | organize/organise | Let’s organize a fundraiser for the school. |
Learning suffixes can greatly improve your English vocabulary and writing skills. By understanding how suffixes are used, you can create new words, understand their meanings, and use them in your own writing.
Suffixes in Academic Writing
Academic writing often requires the use of specific vocabulary to convey meaning and clarity to the reader. One way to expand your academic vocabulary is to learn about suffixes. Suffixes are word endings that can change the meaning of a word and create new words. In this section, we will explore formal and informal suffixes commonly used in academic writing.
Formal Suffixes
Formal suffixes are commonly used in academic writing to create new words that have specific meanings. Here are some examples of formal suffixes with their meanings and example words:
| Suffix | Meaning | Example Words |
|---|---|---|
| -able | capable of | dependable, reliable, understandable |
| -al | related to | cultural, educational, natural |
| -ful | full of | beautiful, careful, helpful |
| -ism | belief or practice | capitalism, feminism, racism |
| -ity | state or quality | ability, creativity, responsibility |
| -ize | to make or become | analyze, realize, summarize |
Example sentence: The analysis of the data led to the realization that the hypothesis was incorrect.
Informal Suffixes
Informal suffixes are often used in everyday language but can also be used in academic writing to create a more casual tone. Here are some examples of informal suffixes with their meanings and example words:
| Suffix | Meaning | Example Words |
|---|---|---|
| -ish | somewhat | childish, reddish, tallish |
| -like | similar to | childlike, lifelike, warlike |
| -ness | state or quality | happiness, kindness, sadness |
| -y | characterized by | cloudy, dusty, windy |
Example sentence: The results of the study were somewhat surprising, but they provided insight into the nature of the problem.
In conclusion, learning about suffixes can help expand your academic vocabulary and improve your writing. By using formal and informal suffixes appropriately, you can convey meaning and clarity to your readers.
Suffixes in Everyday Conversation
As you continue to learn and improve your English vocabulary, you may start to notice certain suffixes being used in everyday conversation. These suffixes can add emphasis or convey a certain tone or attitude. In this section, we’ll explore some common slang suffixes that you may encounter in casual conversation.
Common Slang Suffixes
- -zilla: This suffix is often used to describe someone who is overly controlling or demanding. For example, “She’s a bridezilla when it comes to wedding planning.”
- -tastic: This suffix is used to add emphasis to a positive adjective. For example, “That concert was fantastic!”
- -ish: This suffix is used to convey a sense of uncertainty or approximation. For example, “I’ll be there around 6-ish.”
- -o: This suffix is often added to the end of a name to make it more casual or friendly. For example, “Hey, Jojo, what’s up?”
- -esque: This suffix is used to describe something that is similar to a certain style or characteristic. For example, “Her outfit was very vintage-esque.”
- -athon: This suffix is used to describe a long and intense event or activity. For example, “I’m running a marathon this weekend.”
- -licious: This suffix is used to describe something that is delicious or enjoyable. For example, “This burger is so delicious, it’s burgerlicious!”
- -gate: This suffix is often added to the end of a word to describe a scandal or controversy. For example, “Watergate was a major political scandal in the 1970s.”
- -worthy: This suffix is used to describe something that is deserving of attention or praise. For example, “That performance was Oscar-worthy.”
By learning these common slang suffixes, you can better understand and participate in everyday conversations with native English speakers. Keep in mind that while these suffixes may be informal, they can add a lot of personality and flair to your language use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some common derivational suffixes?
Some common derivational suffixes include -able, -ible, -al, -ful, -ic, -ish, -ive, -less, -ous, and -y. These suffixes can change the meaning and part of speech of a word.
Can you give examples of derivational suffixes?
Sure! Here are some examples:
- -able: readable, drinkable, lovable
- -ful: beautiful, careful, hopeful
- -ic: heroic, poetic, scientific
- -ish: childish, foolish, selfish
- -less: fearless, hopeless, useless
- -ous: dangerous, famous, nervous
What is the meaning of the suffix that means ‘tending to’?
The suffix that means ‘tending to’ is -ant. For example, the word ‘observant’ means ‘tending to observe.’
What are some examples of inflectional suffixes?
Some examples of inflectional suffixes include -s (plural), -ed (past tense), -ing (present participle), -er (comparative), and -est (superlative). These suffixes do not change the meaning or part of speech of a word.
Can you provide a list of 20 words with both prefixes and suffixes?
Sure! Here are some examples:
| Word | Prefix | Suffix |
|---|---|---|
| Unhappy | Un- | -y |
| Preheat | Pre- | -heat |
| Misbehave | Mis- | -behave |
| Reconnect | Re- | -connect |
| Dislike | Dis- | -like |
| Overcook | Over- | -cook |
| Outgrow | Out- | -grow |
| Submarine | Sub- | -ine |
| Postpone | Post- | -pone |
| Unfold | Un- | -fold |
| Misunderstand | Mis- | -stand |
| Rewind | Re- | -wind |
| Disapprove | Dis- | -approve |
| Unload | Un- | -load |
| Overcome | Over- | -come |
| Outnumber | Out- | -number |
| Submerge | Sub- | -merge |
| Postpone | Post- | -pone |
| Uncover | Un- | -cover |
| Misinterpret | Mis- | -interpret |
- Ed Words: Expand Your Vocabulary and Improve Your Writing! - April 15, 2024
- List of Ethnicities and Their Cultures from Around the World - April 2, 2024
- Mastering English Writing: Essential Transitional Words for Body Paragraphs - March 25, 2024