Common Suffixes

Which suffix usually turns a word into an adjective meaning "is; can be"?

• -ment

• -able, -ible

• -ist

• -ship

Answer explanation

The suffixes '-able' and '-ible' are used to form adjectives that indicate capability or suitability, meaning 'is' or 'can be'. For example, 'readable' means 'can be read'.

Match each suffix to its meaning.

• one who; action or process; more

• -ness

• state of being; act of

• -less

• state of; condition of

• -ment

• without

• -er, -or

Which word would most likely mean "the person who is loyal"?

• loyalist

• loyalship

• loyalness

• loyalize

Answer explanation

The term 'loyalist' specifically refers to a person who is loyal, making it the most appropriate choice. The other options do not convey the same meaning or are not standard terms.

Select all suffixes that form nouns meaning a state or condition.

• -ity, -ty

• -ness

• -ly

• -est

• -age

Answer explanation

The suffixes -ity, -ty, and -ness form nouns that denote a state or condition, such as 'activity' or 'happiness'. The other options do not convey this meaning, making -ity, -ty, and -ness the correct choices.

The suffix -ize means what?

• science of; study of

• to make; to cause to become

• having characteristics of

• past tense verbs; adjectives

Answer explanation

The suffix -ize means 'to make' or 'to cause to become.' It is used to form verbs indicating a transformation or change, making 'to make; to cause to become' the correct choice.

Which suffix pair is listed as making a noun meaning "an action; condition; causing a specific action"?

• -ent, -ant

• -ive, -ative, -itive

• -ous, -eous, -ious

• -al, -ial

Answer explanation

The suffix pair -ent and -ant is used to form nouns that indicate an action or condition, such as 'dependent' (condition) or 'assistant' (one who assists). This makes it the correct choice for the given definition.

Match each example word to its suffix.

• -ment

• historic

• -ic

• boxes

• -y

• cloudy

• -s, -es

• employment

Which suffix correctly completes the sentence: "The scientist studies rocks, so her field is archae_____"

• -ment

• -ist

• -ology

• -ship

Answer explanation

The correct suffix is '-ology', as it refers to the study of a subject. In this case, 'archaeology' is the study of ancient cultures and their artifacts, including rocks.

Which suffixes show the plural form, meaning "more than one"?

• -s, -es

• -en

• -ed

• -er, -or

Answer explanation

The suffixes '-s' and '-es' are used to indicate the plural form of nouns, meaning 'more than one'. Other options like '-en', '-ed', and '-er, -or' do not denote plurality.

Select all suffixes that commonly create adjectives.

• -ful

• -ish

• -ly

• -al, -ial

• -ous, -eous, -ious

Answer explanation

The suffixes -ful, -ish, -al, -ial, and -ous, -eous, -ious are commonly used to form adjectives, indicating qualities or characteristics, while -ly typically forms adverbs.