SUFFIXES

"Suffix“

A suffix is a letter or a group of letters added to the end of a word to
alter its meaning or to ensure it fits grammatically into a sentence.

Examples of Suffixes

•Often, a suffix that alters a word's meaning changes it from one part of speech to
another (e.g., from a noun to an adjective)

•.joyous
(This is an example of a suffix that alters a word's meaning. It has changed the
noun joy into an adjective.)

•Tenderness (Here, the suffix has changed the adjective tender into a noun.)

•She runs a hotel.

(This is an example of a suffix that ensures a word fits grammatically in the sentence.
Here, it makes the verb fit because "She run a hotel" would be wrong.)

The Four Most Common Suffixes

•The four most common suffixes are -ed, -ing, -ly, and -s. (These account for over 95% of
suffixed words.) Here they are in some quotations.If God wanted us to bend over, he'd put
diamonds on the floor.

•If I could read while I was driving, showering, socializing or
sleeping, I would do it.

•A wise person decides slowly but abides by these decisions.

•Vices are often habits rather than passions.

•The water was drinkable.

•The homeless man slept on the street.

Why Suffixes Are Important

Learning suffixes is a good way to expand your vocabulary. For example,
once you know the root word pay,
then payable, payee, payer, paying,
and payment all come "free." This is particularly useful if you're learning English.

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