1. -al: an adjective meaning relating to. Example: comical, royal
2. -ment: a noun denoting an action or process. Example: settlement, moment
3. -ize: a verb meaning to make into, often used to create an action word. Example: organize, modernize
4. -cy: a noun meaning the quality or state of being. Example: efficiency, secrecy
5. -y: an adjective meaning characterized by. Example: friendly, treacherous
6. -ify: a verb meaning to turn into something else. Example: tenderify, stupefy
7. -ary: an adjective meaning relating to, associated with. Example: honorary, primary
8. -er: a suffix to form agent nouns from verbs. Example: painter, farmer
9. -ous: an adjective denoting the quality of something. Example: wondrous, glorious
10. -en: a verb meaning to make something bigger or stronger. Example: strengthen, darken Improve Your Vocabulary With Suffixes
Expanding your vocabulary is an essential part of learning any language. It allows you to express yourself more precisely and accurately, enabling effective communication. One effective way to enhance your English vocabulary is by learning and understanding suffixes.
Suffixes are word parts that are added at the end of a base word to form a new word with a different meaning. By learning and using suffixes, you can decode the meanings of many words you encounter while reading or listening. Let’s explore some common suffixes and how they can help you improve your vocabulary.
1. -able/-ible: This suffix is used to form adjectives, meaning “capable of” or “able to be.” For example, when you add “able” to the base word “depend,” you get “dependable,” which means reliable or trustworthy. Likewise, by adding “-ible” to the word “flex,” you form “flexible,” meaning easily adaptable or pliable.
2. -tion/-sion: These suffixes are used to form nouns and denote the process or result of an action or state. For instance, from the base word “educate,” the suffix “-tion” gives us “education,” referring to the process of teaching or learning. Similarly, by adding “-sion” to “discuss,” we get “discussion,” meaning a conversation or debate.
3. -er/-or: These suffixes are used to form nouns that indicate a person or thing who performs an action or has a particular role. For example, “teacher” is formed by adding “-er” to the base word “teach,” indicating the person who teaches. Similarly, “actor” is created by adding ”-or” to “act,” implying a person involved in acting.
4. -er/-est: These suffixes are used to form comparative and superlative adjectives. By adding “-er” to the base word “big,” we obtain “bigger,” which means larger in size. Likewise, by adding “-est” to ”large,” we form “largest,” indicating the greatest in size.
5. -ment: This suffix is used to form nouns indicating a state or condition. For instance, when “-ment” is added to the base word “develop,” it gives us ”development,” referring to the process of growth or progress.
Learning and practicing these suffixes will greatly enhance your vocabulary skills. By recognizing and understanding them, you can decipher the meanings of unfamiliar words more easily. Besides, knowing common suffixes enables you to form new words and make educated guesses about their meanings.
To improve your vocabulary with suffixes, you can engage in various activities. Here are some suggestions:
1. Keep a vocabulary notebook: Whenever you encounter a new word with a suffix, write it down, note its meaning, and try to use it in a sentence.
2. Play word games: Participate in word puzzles, crosswords, or online games that focus on suffixes to actively use and remember them.
3. Read extensively: Read books, newspapers, and articles to come across a variety of words with suffixes in different contexts.
4. Use flashcards: Create flashcards with base words and their corresponding suffixes. Regularly review them to reinforce your knowledge.
5. Practice writing: Incorporate words with suffixes into your writing assignments or personal journal to exercise their usage and solidify your understanding.
Remember, improving your vocabulary with suffixes takes time and consistent practice. Be patient with yourself and celebrate your progress. With dedication, you will gradually expand your vocabulary and confidently communicate in English.
Take the language you use every day and give it a new twist! With just a few simple suffixes, you can add prestige, sophistication, and depths of meaning to everyday words. Give it a try today and enrich your language for life!
