Greek/ Latin Suffixes

-ist = A person who specializes in something. For example, a biologist....

• Studies paper

• Studies rocks

• Studies living organisms

• Studies earth

The suffix ive, as in active, means “tending to or being likely to.” 

So someone who is communicative probably enjoys…….. 

• Eating

• Playing

• Reading

• Talking

The suffix ify, refers to “the state or quality of something.”  

When you simplify something, you make it…….. 

• Twice as hard

• Less simple

• More simple

• Not simple

The suffix al, as in international, means “having to do with.” 

So if you were looking into a dog’s behavioral characteristics, you would want to know……..

 

• How it acted

• How loud it could bark

• How it looked

• How long it could live

The suffix ist, as in biologist, means “one who deals with.” 

So a writer who is a humorist writes things that are……

• funny

• easy

• true

• wrong

Category 5 hurricanes are the most dangerous.

The suffix ous tells you that dangerous means…..

• after danger

• before danger

• marked by danger

• without any danger

The suffix ity, as in possibility, means “state or quality of.” 

So, if you are told to show civility, you are being told to be

• mean

• brave

• polite

• unkind

The suffix ation, as in information, means “the act of” or “that which is.” So, a statement of accusation is one that…..

• Takes responsibility

• brags about something

• makes another person jealous

• blames someone

The suffix able, as in unbelievable, means “able to or capable of.” 

So, which of the following is expandable? 

• Glasses

• Rock

• Balloon

• Stick