Ready to expand your vocabulary? You can start to make more complex and professional words just by adding some word endings, or suffixes!
-tion: This suffix means ‘the action of or the result of an action’. For example: communicate + tion = communication.
-ity: This suffix means ‘the quality of’. For example: patient + ity = patience.
-ment: This suffix means ‘the act of or the result of an action’. For example: entertain + ment = entertainment.
-ance: This suffix means ‘a state of being’. For example: resist + ance = resistance.
-ate: This suffix means ‘to make into’. For example: decor + ate = decorate.
-able: This suffix means ‘having the quality of’. For example: comfort + able = comfortable.
-ible: This suffix means ‘able to be’. For example: digest + ible = digestible.
Using these suffixes, you can quickly and easily expand your vocabulary! Improve Your Vocabulary With Suffixes
Do you want to enhance your English vocabulary? Are you looking for ways to expand your word bank and communicate more effectively? Well, look no further! One powerful tool to improve your vocabulary is by understanding and using suffixes.
Suffixes are small units of letters or syllables that are added to the end of a base word, resulting in a new word with a different meaning. Learning suffixes will not only help you understand the meaning of unfamiliar words but also enable you to create new words on your own, giving you a strong command of the English language.
Let’s dive into some commonly used suffixes and their meanings:
1. -er/-or: This suffix commonly denotes a person or thing that performs a certain action. For example, a “teacher” is someone who teaches, and an ”actor” is someone who acts.
2. -tion/-sion: This suffix is used to form nouns from verbs, and it suggests an action, state, or result. For instance, the verb “communicate” becomes the noun “communication” or the verb “express” becomes the noun “expression.”
3. -ist: Used to indicate a person who follows a certain belief or practice or is skilled in a particular field. Examples include “pianist,” “scientist,” and ”optimist.”
4. -ize/-ise: Adding this suffix to a noun or adjective creates a verb that means ”to make” or ”to become.” For instance, “modern” becomes “modernize” or ”apologize” is formed from “apology.”
5. -able/-ible: When added to a verb or an adjective, these suffixes create words that indicate the possibility or capability of something. For example, “comfortable” suggests that something provides comfort, and “visible” means that something can be seen.
6. -ful: This suffix is used to form adjectives that mean “full of” or “characterized by.” For instance, “grateful” means full of gratitude, and “playful” suggests someone or something characterized by play.
7. -less: Adding this suffix to a noun or an adjective results in an adjective that means “without” or “lacking.” For example, “careless” means lacking attention or “fearless” suggests being without fear.
Remember, to truly enhance your vocabulary, practice using these suffixes in context. Read extensively in English and note down words that contain these suffixes. Try incorporating them into your conversations and written work.
Additionally, pay attention to the spelling changes that occur when adding a suffix. Sometimes, the base word undergoes slight modifications to accommodate the addition of the suffix. Keep an eye out for these spelling changes and familiarize yourself with them to avoid any confusion.
By understanding and using suffixes, you will be able to decipher the meanings of new words, confidently create your own words, and communicate more effectively in English. So, embark on this exciting journey of word formation and watch your vocabulary flourish! Happy learning!
Explore new and exciting options when it comes to expanding your vocabulary with just a few suffixes. If you use them correctly and often, your speech will become more interesting and eloquent. Start experimenting with suffixes today and find the perfect words to make your speaking and writing more meaningful and diverse.