Improve your vocabulary with these handy word endings!
Suffixes can have a mighty impact on the meaning of any word they’re appended to. Here are a few of the most powerful suffixes you can add to your English word knowledge-base.
-ify: By adding the suffix ‘-ify’ to a word, you can easily transform it into a verb. Examples include simplify, clarify, and beautify.
-able: ‘-able’ indicates that a particular thing is capable of being done. Hence, these words can all be used as adjectives: visible, reasonable, and imaginable to name a few.
-ment: ‘-ment’ is a suffix used to create nouns out of verbs. Examples are entertainment, amazement, and amazement.
-ness: To indicate a particular quality, ‘-ness’ is added to the word’s stem. Examples are darkness, greatness and alertness.
-al: ‘-al’ adds an adjective quality to words, often referring to something related to a particular thing. Thus, words like natural, optional, and essential are all created using the suffix ‘-al’.
-ion: ‘-ion’ creates nouns from verbs, usually hinting at a result or condition. Try using words like regeneration, destruction, and confusion to expand your English vocabulary.
-ize: It’s impossible to forget the suffix ‘-ize’, as it’s used to turn verbs into nouns. Examples are surprise, sympathize, and specialize.
Start putting these suffixes to work and you’ll be surprised at the effect they will have on your English word knowledge. Improve Your Vocabulary With Suffixes
As non-English speakers, expanding our vocabulary can feel like a daunting task. However, one effective and enjoyable way to enhance your word bank is by learning and incorporating suffixes into your vocabulary arsenal. Suffixes are letter or group of letters added to the end of a word that change its meaning or function. By understanding and utilizing these word endings, you can vastly improve your English language skills.
Learning suffixes can be particularly beneficial as it allows you to comprehend the meaning of new words, even if you have never encountered them before. By recognizing the word ending, you can break down the unfamiliar word into smaller, more familiar parts and deduce its meaning. This skill not only enables you to expand your vocabulary but also strengthens your overall reading and comprehension abilities.
There are several common suffixes in the English language that you can start incorporating into your vocabulary today. Let’s explore a few of them:
– ”er” and “or”: Adding these suffixes to a verb or noun can transform them into a person who performs a specific action or holds a particular occupation. For example, by adding “er” to the verb “teach,” it becomes “teacher,” referring to someone who teaches. Similarly, adding ”or” to the noun “act” changes it to “actor,” meaning a person who performs in plays or movies.
– “ion” and “tion”: These suffixes are used to create nouns from verbs, indicating an action, process, or state. For instance, the verb “educate” becomes “education,” signifying the process or act of educating. Likewise, the verb “imagine” turns into ”imagination,” representing the state or quality of being imaginative.
– ”ly”: By adding this suffix to an adjective, it transforms into an adverb, providing more information about how an action is performed. For example, the adjective “quick” becomes “quickly,” giving us information about the speed or manner of the action. Similarly, “happy” becomes “happily,” expressing the way in which something is done.
– “ful” and “less”: These suffixes alter nouns and adjectives, adding a sense of meaning. When added to an adjective, “ful” signifies fullness or abundance, as in “successful” or “beautiful.” On the other hand, “less” implies the absence or lack of something, as seen in words like “careless” or “senseless.”
By familiarizing yourself with these and other commonly used suffixes, you can enrich your vocabulary and communicate more effectively in English. Remember to practice actively incorporating these word endings into your speech and writing. Try using them in sentences and engage in conversations to reinforce your understanding and usage.
Further, reading books, newspapers, or online articles can expose you to a wide range of vocabulary with suffixes. Pay attention to how these added endings modify the meaning of words and take note of any unknown terms for future exploration.
Improving your vocabulary with suffixes is an engaging and fruitful way to enhance your English language skills. By utilizing these word endings, you will not only expand your word bank but also improve your overall comprehension and communication abilities. So, let’s embark on this exciting journey of mastering English vocabulary with the power of suffixes!
Don’t be a slave to lackluster vocabulary! Mastering suffixes is a surefire way to gain confidence and strength in all of your written and verbal English language skills. Arm yourself with a powerful selection of suffixes and you’re sure to boost your word knowledge in no time!