Expand your verbal toolkit by learning the power of suffixes! Suffixes are the end of a word that modify its meaning. With the right suffix, you can transform a word into a sister term that has a whole new connotation! Here are some examples of the most useful suffixes and how you can use them:
-ize: This suffix adds the meaning of “the process of making or becoming” to a noun or verb. For example, by adding -ize to the word graduate, you can create the verb “graduateize,” which means “the process of becoming a graduate.”
-tion: If you need to turn a verb into a noun, attach the suffix -tion. For example, the verb “revise” becomes “revision” with the use of this suffix.
-ful: This suffix changes an adjective into a noun. For example, adding -ful to the adjective “skill” creates the noun “skillful,” meaning “having a lot of skill.”
-ly: Using this suffix turns an adjective into an adverb. For example, “quick” could become “quickly” with the use of this suffix.
-ness: By adding -ness to an adjective, you can turn it into a noun that expresses quality or degree. For example, the word “sacred” can become “sacredness,” which means “a state of being sacred.”
Start experimenting with suffixes to give your words an extra kick of meaning and power! Having a great vocabulary can be an extremely useful tool when speaking and writing in English. The ability to use words accurately and effectively can make a huge difference in your communication skills. A great way to expand your vocabulary is by focusing on suffixes. Suffixes are word endings that can change the meaning of a word. Here are some common suffixes you can use to improve your vocabulary.
-able / -ible: This suffix can mean “capable of being” or “worthy of being”. For example, dependable means “able to be depended on” and adorable means “worthy of being adored”.
-er: This suffix can mean “one who” or “that which”. For example, thinker means “one who thinks” and roller means “that which rolls”.
-ful: This suffix can mean “full of”. For example, helpful means “full of help” and fearful means “full of fear”.
-less: This suffix can mean “without”. For example, careless means “without care” and emotionless means “without emotion”.
-ment: This suffix can mean “the action of”. For example, excitement means “the action of exciting” and movement means “the action of moving”.
-ness: This suffix can mean “the state of being”. For example, loneliness means “the state of being lonely” and loveliness means “the state of being lovely”.
-tion: This suffix can mean “the action of”. For example, communication means “the action of communicating” and vibration means “the action of vibrating”.
Learning these common suffixes can be a great way to improve your vocabulary. Think of any words you already know and see if adding one of these suffixes will change the meaning. For example, if you have the word “care”, adding the suffix “-less” will change it to “careless”. Now you have two words instead of one! As you learn more about suffixes, you’ll be able to identify and use them with more confidence.
If you use the power of suffixes, you will be on the fast track to improving your vocabulary and unleashing your power of expression! Mastering suffixes and their varied usages is a great way to step up your game in your communication skills and be better equipped to articulate your thoughts. Make sure to use these helpful suffixes correctly and get ready to become the communications maestro of your dreams.