Suffixes

A suffix is added to the end of a root word. It can change the meaning of a word.



Root Word Suffix Meaning Example
home less without homeless
mouthful full of mouthful
backward direction backward
happy ness state of happiness
child like resembling childlike
smart est most smartest
govern ment action/process government



Noun Suffixes

Below is a list of some noun suffixes.

ness, ment, hood, ship, ism, ian, tion, sion



Root Word SuffixNoun
SadnessSadness
EnrolmentEnrolment
ManhoodManhood
FriendshipFriendship
SocialismSocialism
MusicianMusician

Note! The suffix s added on to the end of a word forms a plural noun.

Example

books , chairs , toys , heaters , bags




Adjective Suffixes

Below is a list of some adjective suffixes.

able, ible, ful, ic, al, ial, ical, ious, ous, ish, ive, less, y


Note! Like adverbs there are some adjectives that also end in ly. If you are not too sure if the word is an adjective or an adverb then use the dictionary to help you.



Root Word SuffixAdjective
ComfortableComfortable
CarelessCareless
ForgetfulForgetful
JoyousJoyous
ChildishChildish
MagicalMagical
InventiveInventive
HeavenlyHeavenly



Verb Suffixes

Below is a list of some verb suffixes.

ed, ing, ate, en, ify, fy, ize, ise


Root Word SuffixVerb
TalkedTalked
WalkingWalking
TightenTighten
ClassifyClassify
CivilizeCivilize
AdvertiseAdvertise

Note! Suffixes ending with s or es is the singular form for the third person.

Example


Adverb Suffixes

Below is a list of some adverb suffixes.

ly, wise, ways


Root Word SuffixAdverb
SlowlySlowly
ClockwiseClockwise
SidewaysSideways

Careful! Some adjectives also end in ly.


Spelling Rules!

It is important to understand some spelling rules when adding suffixes to root words. A suffix can beginning with a vowel (a,e,i,o,u) or a consonant.

Example

Suffixes beginning with a vowel: ing, ed, ous

Suffixes beginning with a consonant: ful, ment, ness



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One Syllable Words
Doubling Rule:
Ends in a consonant and the letter before the consonant is a vowel.
Careful! The rule for consonant ending in y is different (see below).
Example: run
double the n if the suffix begins with a vowel ing
running
Example: bet
double the t if the suffix begins with a vowel er
better
Ends with more than one consonant,
Careful! The rule for consonant ending in y is different (see below)
Example: hang
just add the suffix ing
hanging
Example: help
just add the suffix ed
helped




More Than One Syllable Words
Doubling Rule:
Ends in a consonant and the letter before the consonant is a vowel.
Careful! The rule for consonant ending in y is different (see below).
Example: begin
if the stress is on the last syllable double the n before adding the suffix ing
beginning
Example: admit
if the stress is on the last syllable double the t before adding the suffix ed
admitted
Example: benefit
Careful! If the stress is on the first syllable you do not need to double the t before adding the suffix ed.
benefited
Doubling Rule:
Words ending with the letter 'l' and the suffix starts with a vowel
Example: equal
double the l before adding the suffix ed.
equalled

Example: enrol
double the l before adding the suffix ing.
enrolling
Ends with a consonant and the suffix starts with a consonant
Example: enrol
No need to double the l. Just add on the suffix ment.
enrolment
Example: adust
Just add on the suffix ment.
adjustment





Words Ending In Y
Ends with a consonant followed by the y consonant.
Example: spy
remove the y and replace it with i before adding the suffix es
spies
Note! When adding the suffix ing you do not need to remove the y.
spying
Ends with a vowel followed by a y consonant.
Example: decay
just add the suffix ing
decaying
Example: day
just add the suffix s
days
Exception! Daily



Words Ending In E
Suffixes beginning with a vowel (a, e, i, o, u ).
remove the e before adding the suffix ance
Example: guide
guidance
remove the e before adding the suffix ing
Example: revise
revising
remove the e before adding the suffix ous
Example: desire
desirous
Careful!
Here the suffix y is considered to be a vowel
remove the e before adding the suffix y
Example: scare
scary
Careful!
Words ending in ce keep the silent e with suffixes able.

Example: peace
peaceable

Example: replace
replaceable



Words ending in ge keep the silent e with suffixes able and ous.

Example: manage
manageable

Example: courage
courageous

Suffixes Beginning With A Consonant
just add the suffix ment after the e
Example: arrange
arrangement
just add the suffix ness after the e
Example: like
likeness
just add the suffix s after the e
Example: admire
admires


Now try the Exercises!