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.
Spelling rules for suffixes
Sometimes it's necessary to add a letter to the end of a root word before adding a suffix. Sometimes it's also necessary to change the final letter of a root word.
Double letters
When adding a suffix to a word that has more than one syllable, double the final letter of the root word. There are also some words with only one syllable where you still have to double the final letter when adding a suffix.
Examples
Suffix | Root word+suffix
|
| -ing | beginning (begin+ing) Here you double the n before adding -ing.
preferring (prefer+ing) Here you double the r before adding -ing. |
| -ed | transferred (transfer+ed) Here you double the r before adding -ed.
knitted (knit+ed) Here you double the t before -ed. |
Change the ending of the root word
Sometimes you need to change the ending of a root word before adding a suffix. The biggest one to remember is with words that end in -y, you usually have to change the -y to an -i before adding the suffix.
Examples
suffix
| root word+suffix
|
| -ly | lately (late+ly) Here you can simply add the suffix. |
| -ness | happiness (happy+ness) Here you change the 'y' to 'i' before adding the suffix. |
| -ed | replied (reply+ed) Here you change the 'y' to an 'i' before adding the suffix. |
Create different verb tenses with suffixes
The suffix '-ed' is used to make past tense verbs to show that an action happened in the past. The suffix '-ing' is used in the present tense to show something that is happening right now.
Examples
suffix
| root word+suffix
|
| -ed | played (play+ed) |
| -ing | hunting (hunt+ing) |
Tip: If the verb that is in present tense has an 'e' at the end, then make sure to remove it before adding in the suffix '-ing'.
Create adjectives with suffixes
Adding the suffix '-ible' and '-able' allows verbs to be turned into adjectives. Adding the suffix '-ous' allows nouns to be turned into adjectives.
Examples
Suffix
| Root word+suffix |
| -ible | convertible (convert+ible) Here the suffix turns the verb into an adjective.
|
| -able | adorable (adore+able) Here the suffix turns the verb into an adjective. |
| -ous | ambitious (ambition+ous) Here the suffix turns the noun into an adjective. |
Tip: If the verb ends in 'y', change it to an 'i' before adding the suffix.
Create nouns with suffixes
Different suffixes like '-ment' and '-ness' often indicate a noun.
Examples
suffix
| root word+suffix
|
| -ment | government (govern+ment) |
| -ness | cleanliness (cleanly+ness) Here the 'y' in cleanly becomes an 'i'. |
