Suffix and examples

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ENGLISH LANGUAGE: S S 1

Suffix and Examples

Core Concepts

A suffix is a letter or a group of letters added to the end of a word (called the root or base word) to change its meaning or its grammatical function. Suffixes are an important part of word formation in English.

For example, adding '-er' to 'teach' gives 'teacher'. Here, the suffix '-er' changes the verb 'teach' into a noun 'teacher', meaning 'one who teaches'.

It's important to differentiate suffixes from prefixes. A prefix is added to the beginning of a word (e.g., 'un-' in 'unhappy'), while a suffix is added to the end.

Suffixes can be broadly categorised into two main types:

1. Derivational Suffixes: These suffixes change the word class (e.g., from a verb to a noun, or an adjective to an adverb) or significantly alter the meaning of the base word. They create new words.

2. Inflectional Suffixes: These suffixes change the grammatical form of a word without changing its word class or core meaning. They indicate grammatical features like tense, number, degree, or possession.

Key Points

1. Derivational Suffixes and Word Class Change:

a. Verb to Noun: Suffixes like '-tion', '-ment', '-er', '-or', '-ance', '-ence' often turn verbs into nouns.

Examples:

• 'act' (verb) + '-ion' = 'action' (noun)

• 'develop' (verb) + '-ment' = 'development' (noun)

• 'teach' (verb) + '-er' = 'teacher' (noun)

• 'perform' (verb) + '-ance' = 'performance' (noun)

b. Adjective to Noun: Suffixes like '-ness', '-ity', '-dom', '-hood', '-th' often turn adjectives into nouns.

Examples:

• 'happy' (adjective) + '-ness' = 'happiness' (noun)

• 'active' (adjective) + '-ity' = 'activity' (noun)

c. Noun to Adjective: Suffixes like '-ful', '-less', '-y', '-al', '-ous', '-ic' often turn nouns into adjectives.

Examples:

• 'beauty' (noun) + '-ful' = 'beautiful' (adjective)

• 'care' (noun) + '-less' = 'careless' (adjective)

d. Adjective to Adverb: The suffix '-ly' commonly changes adjectives into adverbs.

Examples:

• 'quick' (adjective) + '-ly' = 'quickly' (adverb)

• 'careful' (adjective) + '-ly' = 'carefully' (adverb)

1. Inflectional Suffixes and Grammatical Function:

These suffixes do not change the core word class but modify its grammatical role.

a. Plural Nouns: Adding '-s' or '-es' to form the plural.

Examples: 'book' -> 'books', 'box' -> 'boxes'

b. Verb Tenses:

Present Tense (third person singular): Adding '-s' or '-es'.

Example: 'walk' -> 'walks', 'wash' -> 'washes'

Past Tense: Adding '-ed' to regular verbs.

Example: 'walk' -> 'walked', 'play' -> 'played'

Present Participle/Gerund: Adding '-ing'.

Example: 'run' -> 'running', 'eat' -> 'eating'

c. Comparative and Superlative Adjectives/Adverbs: Adding '-er' for comparative and '-est' for superlative.

Examples: 'tall' -> 'taller' -> 'tallest', 'fast' -> 'faster' -> 'fastest'

1. Spelling Changes: Sometimes, adding a suffix requires a change in the spelling of the base word.

Examples: 'beauty' + '-ful' = 'beautiful' (y changes to i)

'run' + '-ing' = 'running' (consonant doubles)

Summary

Suffixes are powerful word parts added to the end of a base word. They either create entirely new words by changing the word's class or meaning (derivational suffixes), or they modify a word's grammatical function without changing its core meaning (inflectional suffixes). Understanding suffixes helps you expand your vocabulary, comprehend complex words, and use English grammar more accurately.