Greek/ Latin Suffixes

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

• Studies paper

• Studies rocks

• Studies living organisms

• Studies earth

Tags

CCSS.L.3.4B

CCSS.L.3.4C

CCSS.RF.3.3A

CCSS.RF.4.3A

CCSS.RF.5.3A

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

So someone who is communicative probably enjoys…….. 

• Eating

• Playing

• Reading

• Talking

Tags

CCSS.L.3.4B

CCSS.RF.3.3A

CCSS.RF.3.3B

CCSS.RF.4.3A

CCSS.RF.5.3A

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

Tags

CCSS.L.3.4B

CCSS.L.3.4C

CCSS.RF.3.3A

CCSS.RF.4.3A

CCSS.RF.5.3A

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

Tags

CCSS.L.3.4B

CCSS.L.3.4C

CCSS.RF.3.3A

CCSS.RF.4.3A

CCSS.RF.5.3A

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

Tags

CCSS.L.3.4B

CCSS.L.3.4C

CCSS.RF.3.3A

CCSS.RF.4.3A

CCSS.RF.5.3A

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

Tags

CCSS.L.3.4C

CCSS.RF.3.3A

CCSS.RF.3.3B

CCSS.RF.4.3A

CCSS.RF.5.3A

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

Tags

CCSS.L.3.4B

CCSS.L.3.4C

CCSS.RF.3.3A

CCSS.RF.4.3A

CCSS.RF.5.3A

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

Tags

CCSS.L.3.4B

CCSS.L.3.4C

CCSS.RF.3.3A

CCSS.RF.4.3A

CCSS.RF.5.3A

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

So, which of the following is expandable? 

• Glasses

• Rock

• Balloon

• Stick

Tags

CCSS.L.3.4B

CCSS.L.3.4C

CCSS.RF.3.3B

CCSS.RF.4.3A

CCSS.RF.5.3A