A suffix is a group of letters added to the end of a word to modify its meaning. Suffixes can change the part of speech of a word or give it a new meaning. Understanding suffixes is an important aspect of building a strong vocabulary in the English language.
Examples of suffixes include: -able (meaning “able to be”), -er (meaning “one who”), -ish (meaning “like” or “somewhat”), and so on.
Common Suffixes:
- -able/-ible The suffixes -able and -ible are used to create adjectives that describe the ability or possibility of something, for example:
- Comfortable
- Flexible
- Incredible
- Visible
- -er/-or The suffixes -er and -or are used to create nouns that describe a person or thing that does something, for example:
- Teacher
- Actor
- Writer
- Doctor
- -ful/-less The suffixes -ful and -less are used to create adjectives that describe whether something has or lacks a quality, for example:
- Beautiful
- Colorful
- Hopeless
- Sleepless
- -ness The suffix -ness is used to create nouns that describe a state or condition, for example:
- Happiness
- Sadness
- Kindness
- Fitness
Common Suffix Mistakes:
- Confusing Suffixes
- Some suffixes may look similar, but have different meanings, such as -ful and -less. -ful means “full of,” while -less means “without.”
- Adding a Suffix Incorrectly
- Adding a suffix to a word incorrectly can change its meaning or make it sound awkward. For example, “helpful” is correct, but “helplessful” is not.
- Using the Wrong Suffix
- Using the wrong suffix can change the meaning of a word entirely. For example, “happy” is an adjective, while “happiness” is a noun.
Exercises:
- Add the correct suffix to the following words to create a new word with a different meaning:
- Beauty
- Help
- Color
- Joy
- Choose the correct suffix to complete the sentence:
- She is a great _____ (speaker/speak).
- The _____ (hope/hopeless) child was given a gift.
- The _____ (wonder/wonderful) movie made her cry.
- Identify the error in the following sentence and correct it:
- The cat was sleepable on the bed.
Conclusion:
Suffixes are an important part of the English language, and they can greatly enhance your vocabulary and communication skills. Understanding how to use suffixes correctly can help you create new words and meanings, as well as understand the meanings of existing words. Practice using suffixes in your daily conversations and writing, and pay attention to common mistakes to improve your language skills.