Using suffixes

In a nutshell

A suffix is a group of letters that are added to the end of a word and can change its meaning. Suffixes are placed at the end of a root word. In this summary, you'll learn how to add a suffix to change the meaning of a word and to show they create different word classes.

Nouns

When added to a root word, some suffixes create nouns. Nouns are words or phrases that can be used to name a person, place or thing.

Example

SUFFIX	ROOT WORD + suffix
*-ment*	achievement
*-ness*	happiness
*-tion/sion*	produc*tion*
*-ance/ence*	import*ance*

Tip: When the root word ends in a 'y' like the word 'happy', the 'y' is changed to an 'i' when the suffix is added.

Adjectives

When added to a root word, the following suffixes create adjectives. Adjectives are words describing a noun.

Example

suffix	root word + suffix
*-able/ible*	loveable
*-ful*	beauti*ful*
*-ous*	anxi*ous*

Verbs

When added to a root word, some suffixes create or change the tense of verbs. Verbs are words that are used to show an action.

Example

suffix	root word + suffix
*-ing*	play*ing*
*-ed*	landed

Adverbs

When added to the end of a root word, the following suffixes create adverbs. Adverbs are words that describe verbs and they usually end in 'ly'.

Example

suffix	root word + suffix
*-fully*	truthfully
*-ly*	hungrily