Suffixes A suffix is a group of letters pl aced at the end of a word to make a new word. A suffix can make a new word in one of two ways: 1. Inflectional (grammatical): for example, changing singular to plural (dog>dogs), or changing present tense to past tense (walk>walked). In this case the basic meaning of the word does not change. 2. Derivational (the new word has a new meaning), “derived” from the original word): for example, teach>teacher or care>careful. Inflectional Suffixes do not change the meaning of the original word . Example: Every day I walk to school. school. Yesterday I walked to school. Suffix -s -en -s -ed
Grammatical change Plural Plural (irregular) rd 3 person singular present Past tense/past participle
Example of Original Word Dog Ox Like
Example of Suffixed Word dogs Oxen He likes
Work
He worked/he has worked
-en -ing -er -est
Past participle (irregular)
Eat
He has eaten
Continuous/progressive
Sleep
He is sleeping
comparative
big
bigger
Superlative
Big
bigg est
Derivational Suffixes: When a derivational suffix is added to the end of a word, it changes the meaning of the word, and is usually a different part of speech. But the new meaning is related to the old meaning—it is “derived” from the old meaning. In some cases, more than one derivational suffix can be added to a word. Example: derive (verb) + tion = derivation (noun) + al = derivational (adjective) Derivational Suffix -ation
Part of Speech Noun
Meaning Used to form nouns from words that end in ate Relating to Relating to, quality, place where
Ex: original word Exhilarate Nominate
Ex: suffixed word Exhilaration nomination
-al -ary, -ery, -ory
Noun Noun
Nature Diction, Brave, dorm Music Magic Teach Bake Act god Hero Alcohol Art Dent
natural Dictionary Bravery dormitory Musician magician Teacher Baker Actress goddess Heroism Alcoholism Artist Dentist
-cian
Noun
-er
Noun
Having a certain skill, or art One who, that which
-ess
Noun
Female
-ism
Noun
-ist
Noun
-ity
noun
-ment
Noun
-ness
Noun
-sion
Noun
-y
Noun
Action, process, result A person who performs a certain action Indicates state or condition Indicates state, quality, or condition Exemplifying a quality or state Expressing action, a state, or a relationship Inclined to, tend to
Captive
captivity
Content Amend Sad
Contentment Amendment Sadness
Persuade Divide
Persuasion division
Cheer Grouch Tax Accident Imagine
Cheery grouchy taxable Accidental Imaginary
-able -al -ary
Adjective Adjective Adjective
-ful
Adjective
Adjective
To make or cause to be Like, manner of
Sorrow forget Simple Ample Brother
Sorrowful forgetful Simplify amplify brotherly
-fy
Adjective
-ly
-y
Adjective
Inclined to, tend to
Ease
easy
Capable of Relating to Relating to, quality, place where Full of
-ly -ify -ate -ize,
Adverb Verb Verb Verb
Every or like Intensity Cause, make To render, make
Helpful Simple Liquid Terror Private
Helpfully simplify Liquidate Terrorize privatize
Derivational Suffixes
