English Suffix – Eduma English

Summary

A suffix is a letter or group of letters added to the end of a root word to create a new word. The new word is related in meaning to the root word, but is often a different part of speech.

In-depth Explanation

Adding a suffix to a word in English will either create a related word or change the word’s function in a sentence. For instance, suffixes can change verbs into nouns, adjectives into adverbs and so on.

Noun Suffixes

The following are common suffixes added to root words in order to create nouns.

Suffix	Meaning	Examples
-ance / -ence	relates to an action or process	difference importance performance
-er / -or	one who performs an action	actor baker teacher
-ion / -sion / -tion	relates to an action or process, or the result of an action or process	action decision opinion
-ist	one who performs an action	artist dentist tourist
-ment	relates to an action or its result	excitement improvement punishment
-ness	state or quality of being	happiness loneliness sweetness
-ship	state of being; skill	friendship leadership membership

Here are some examples of how these words are used in context:

The actor gave an incredible performance that captivated the audience.

The importance of friendship becomes clear during tough times.

The dentist explained the decision to remove the patient’s wisdom tooth.

Verb Suffixes

The following suffixes can be added to root words in order to create verbs.

Suffix	Meaning	Examples
-ate	do or cause the action	activate celebrate medicate
-en	become	awaken shorten strengthen
-ify / -fy	do or cause the action	clarify satisfy terrify
-ize*	make; become	apologize capitalize realize

*In British English, this suffix is -ise: apologise, capitalise, realise, etc.

Here are some examples of how these words are used in context:

We plan to celebrate her birthday with a surprise party this weekend.

He tried to clarify his point during the meeting to avoid misunderstandings.

Reading that book helped me realize the importance of self-care.

Adjective Suffixes

The following suffixes can be added to root words to create adjectives.

Suffix	Meaning	Examples
-able / -ible	able to be done	comfortable drinkable visible
-al	relating to	optional personal seasonal
-ful	having the quality of	beautiful helpful useful
-ic / -ical	relating to	alphabetical artistic economic
-ive	having the quality of	creative effective imaginative
-less	without the quality of	colorless hopeless useless
-ous	having the quality of	delicious famous nervous

Here are some examples of how these words are used in sentences:

She felt nervous before giving her first creative presentation.

The instructions were clear and helpful, making the process easy and effective.

The list of names was arranged in alphabetical order to be more useful.

Adverb Suffixes

These suffixes can be added to root words to make adverbs.

Suffix	Meaning	Examples
-ally / -ily / -ly *	in the manner of	alphabetically easily quietly
-ward	in the direction of	backward inward northward
-wise	in relation to	clockwise likewise otherwise

*Root words that end with “ic” take the suffix -ally. Root words that end with “y” take the suffix -ily. Other root words almost always take the suffix -ly.

Here are some example sentences using these adverbs:

She walked quietly into the room, hoping not to wake anyone.

The wind shifted northward, bringing colder air from the mountains.

Turn the key clockwise to unlock the door.