.As small as -s or -ed or they can be as large as -ation or -ious, these useful, shapeshifting tools can be found.Find out what suffixes are and explore a list of suffixes.
The Function of a Suffix
Suffixes are a category of affixes.Suffixes alter the meaning or purpose of a base or root word.The suffix -er and -est are added to the adjective fond to create comparisons fonder and fondest.Use a suffix list to increase your vocabulary.
garanley-abogados.com of Suffixes
The English language contains a large number of suffixes as prefixes.By adding the suffix -ist to a word, it becomes a word describing someone who performs or practices something.As a result, art becomes an artist, a skilled practitioner.
Noun Suffixes
A noun is used to describe a person, place, thing, or idea.
Suffix | Meaning | Example |
| -ee | individual does something | referee, employee, trustee, retiree |
-eer | engaged in something, associated with something | auctioneer, volunteer, engineer, profiteer |
-er | someone who performs an action | helper, teacher, preacher, dancer |
-ion | the action or process of | celebration, opinion, decision, revision |
-ism | theory, act or belief | criticism, humanism, professionalism, patirotism |
-ity | the state or condition of | probability, equality, abnormality, civility |
-ment | the action or result of | movement, retirement, abandonment, establishment |
-ness | a state or quality | fondness, awareness, kindness, darkness |
-or | a person who is something | distributor, investigator, translator, conductor |
-sion | state or being | depression, confusion, tension, compulsion |
-ship | position held | worship, ownership, courtship, internship |
-th | state or quality | strength, labyrinth, depth, warmth |
Adjective Suffixes
It only makes sense that you can have adjective suffixes too, since you can have noun suffixes.By adding these suffixes to words, you can create words that describe things.
Suffix | Meaning | Example |
-able, -ible | capable of being | preventable, adaptable, predictable, credible |
-al | pertaining to | theatrical, natural, criminal, seasonal |
-ant | inclined to or tending to | vigilant, defiant, brilliant, reliant |
-ary | of or relating to | budgetary, planetary, military, honorary |
-ful | full of or notable of | grateful, beautiful, wonderful, fanciful |
-ic | relating to | iconic, organic, heroic, poetic |
-ious, -ous | having qualities of | gracious, cautious, humorous, fabulous |
-ive | quality or nature of | creative, expensive, expressive, pensive |
-less | without something | hopeless, faultless, fearless, restless |
-y | made up of or characterized by | brainy, fruity, tasty, grouchy |
Verb Suffixes
You use a verb in a sentence to describe an action or state.Let me give you an example: you laughed at the joke.Below are a few verb suffixes which you may use in your sentences.
Suffix | Meaning | Example |
-ed | past-tense version of a verb | laughed, climbed, called, missed |
-en | become | soften, fasten, lengthen, strengthen |
-er | action or process, making an adjective comparative | faster, bigger, fuller, longer |
-ing | verb form/present participle of an action | laughing, swimming, driving, writing |
-ize, -ise | to cause or to become | memorialize, authorize, commercialize, advertise |
Adverb Suffixes
An effective sentence includes information.Adverbs convey information about adjectives or verbs, so they are important.Take a look at these adverb suffixes from garanley-abogados.com.
Suffix | Meaning | Example |
-ly | in what manner something is being done | bravely, simply, honestly, gladly |
-ward | in a certain direction | backward, wayward, awkward, afterward |
-wise | in relation to | clockwise, edgewise, lengthwise, otherwise |
Using Suffixes
In English, suffixes provide variety.Our thoughts, feelings, findings, and emotions are endlessly expressed through them.Nouns are transformed into adjectives, and verbs are transformed into nouns.As a result, they provide the writer with more color and intrigue.
It is important to recognize that sometimes adding a suffix to a base word will change its spelling, as in create/creative.Learn why and when this occurs by reading the rules for suffix spellings.