USING SUFFIXES #4: -ist -ism -al

What does the suffix -al mean?

• one who does or is skilled at something

• relating to or characterized by (changes a noun to an adjective)

• condition of being or having characteristics of

What does the suffix -ism mean?

• one who does or is skilled at something

• relating to or characterized by (changes a noun to an adjective)

• condition of being or having characteristics of

What does the suffix -ist mean?

• one who does or is skilled at something

• relating to or characterized by (changes a noun to an adjective)

• condition of being or having characteristics of

Dr. Stokes, who studies the earth's crust, is the finest _____ at the university.

• archaeologist

  (one who does or is skilled at archaeology

• geologist

  (one who does or is skilled at geology)

• chemist

  (one who does or is skilled at chemistry)

• pianist

  (one who does or is skilled at playing the piano)

Getting plenty of sleep is highly _____ to your health.

• beneficial

  (relating to or characterized by benefits)

• cultural

  (relating to or characterized by culture)

• coastal

  (relating to or characterized by the coast)

• commercial

  (relating to or characterized by commerce)

Since my cousin wanted to be a news reporter for our local television station, she majored in _____ while in college.

• patriotism

  (having the characteristics of a patriot)

• journalism

  (having the characteristics of a journalist)

• terrorism

  (having the characteristics of terror)

• heroism

  (having the characteristics of a hero)

The _____ forgot his music and had to improvise.

• archaeologist

  (one who does or is skilled at archaeology

• geologist

  (one who does or is skilled at geology)

• pianist

  (one who does or is skilled at playing the piano)

• dentist

  (one who does or is skilled at dentistry)

Our house is only half a block from a _____ district with many stores.

• beneficial

  (relating to or characterized by benefits)

• behavioral

  (relating to or characterized by behavior)

• coastal

  (relating to or characterized by the coast)

• commercial

  (relating to or characterized by commerce)

It was an act of _____ to go back into the burning building to rescue the rest of the people inside.

• patriotism

  (having the characteristics of a patriot)

• journalism

  (having the characteristics of a journalist)

• terrorism

  (having the characteristics of terror)

• heroism

  (having the characteristics of a hero)

Tayvion wants to be an _____ and go on digs to find artifacts about people long ago.

• archaeologist

  (one who does or is skilled at archaeology

• geologist

  (one who does or is skilled at geology)

• dentist

  (one who does or is skilled at dentistry)

• pianist

  (one who does or is skilled at playing the piano)