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 | production |
| -ance/ence | importance |
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 | beautiful |
| -ous | anxious
|
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 | playing |
| -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 |
