1. -ic: relating to a particular person or thing
2. -ity: the quality of being a certain way or having certain characteristics
3. -al: pertaining to or connected with
4. -ose: full of or having the nature of
5. -ade: characterized by or full of
6. -ment: the action or process of
7. -ity: the quality of being
8. -age: the amount, size, or degree of
9. -ism: practice of or belief in a specified thing or activity
10. -esque: having the qualities of something Improve Your Vocabulary With Suffixes
Having a vast and comprehensive vocabulary is crucial for effective communication. It allows us to express ourselves more precisely and clearly, making our conversations more engaging and impactful. As a non-English speaker, one effective strategy to enhance your vocabulary is by utilizing suffixes.
Suffixes are affixes that are added to the end of base words to create new words or modify the meaning of existing ones. By understanding and mastering various suffixes, you can easily expand your vocabulary and improve your overall language skills. Let’s explore some common suffixes and how they can help you.
1. -ful: This suffix is used to form adjectives and means ‘full of’ or ‘characterized by.’ For example, adding -ful to the base word ’grace’ creates the word ‘graceful,’ implying elegance and beauty. Similarly, ‘wonderful’ means ‘full of wonder,’ and ‘delightful’ suggests ‘full of delight.’ By recognizing this suffix, you can create adjectives easily and articulate your opinions more precisely.
2. -ment: By attaching -ment to a verb, you can convert it into a noun. For instance, adding -ment to the verb ’develop’ gives us ‘development,’ referring to the process of growth or progress. Similarly, ‘adjustment’ stems from ‘adjust,’ signifying the act of adapting or altering. Understanding the -ment suffix allows you to describe actions as nouns, enabling you to convey your ideas more accurately.
3. -ize/-ise: This suffix is used to form verbs from nouns and adjectives. For example, adding -ize to the noun ‘modern’ results in ‘modernize,’ meaning to bring up-to-date or make more contemporary. Similarly, ‘civilize’ evolves from the noun ‘civilization,’ suggesting to educate or refine. By incorporating the -ize or -ise suffix, you can effortlessly create verbs and communicate your intentions effectively.
4. -less: The suffix -less is added to nouns or adjectives to create adjectives, implying the absence or lack of something. For instance, by attaching -less to the adjective ‘fear,’ we get the word ‘fearless,’ meaning courageous or brave. Similarly, ‘endless’ suggests infinite, and ‘thoughtless’ means lacking consideration or mindfulness. By recognizing this suffix, you can effortlessly describe the absence of something and express your ideas more vividly.
5. -able/-ible: These suffixes are used to create adjectives that denote the capability or possibility of something. For example, adding -able to the verb ‘understand’ creates ‘understandable,’ suggesting that something can be comprehended or grasped. Likewise, appending -ible to ‘flex’ results in ‘flexible,’ indicating the ability to bend or adapt. Understanding and utilizing these suffixes enables you to express possibilities and potential more effectively.
By familiarizing yourself with these common suffixes, you can significantly improve your vocabulary and communicate more confidently. Practice identifying and using them in daily conversations, reading materials, and writing tasks. Additionally, keep a vocabulary journal to document new words you encounter with suffixes, along with their meanings and usage. Regular practice and exposure to suffixes will gradually expand your linguistic skills and empower you to express yourself with precision and creativity.
Remember, building an extensive vocabulary takes time and effort, so be patient and persistent. Embrace the beauty of language and never stop exploring new words and their meanings. With dedication and practice, you will undoubtedly become a more proficient English speaker, effortlessly using suffixes to enhance your vocabulary and express yourself eloquently.
Have you made a pact with yourself to upgrade your word choice? Enhancing your lexicon with helpful suffixes can be an excellent way to start. By familiarizing yourself with suffixes, you can go beyond mastering the basics of language and open a world of exciting possibilities for your vocabulary. That’s the power of language at your fingertips – think of it as the key to your communication destiny!