BGC Senegalâ¤Enrich Your Words: The Power ofâ Suffixes
Many words we⤠use everyday can be given⤠more depth âandâ meaning simply by adding suffixes. Suffixes are added⢠at the endâ of words to⢠change⣠their meanings. With some creative wordplay, you âcan use suffixes to your advantage, giving your words more zest and âpower.
Take the word⤠‘quick’. When paired with the â¤suffix ‘ly’, you instantly â˘transform this simple adjective into⤠an⢠adverb. Now you âcan â¤say ⣒quickly’,â indicating you â˘did something with speed. Adding âthe sameâ suffix to the word ‘move’ changes it toâ ‘movingly’. This new word now implies something was âdone withâ emotion or physical movement.
Certain suffixes can be â¤used to âŁcombine two⢠words together. When ‘ed’ â¤isâ addedâ to the âend of ‘read’,⢠this âcreates the âword ‘readied’ â˘or prepared, a concept expressed⤠in only one word. Youâ can also use anotherâ suffix ‘ism’ to addâ to the â˘word ‘read’. This⤠createsâ ‘readism’ or â˘the âŁpractice â˘of often âreading.
Suffixes âcan also be â˘used to make hypothetical â˘or possible âŁscenarios. When ‘able’ is added â¤to the end âof ‘think’, it creates ‘thinkable’, suggesting it’s imaginable or⣠capable⣠of⢠being⢠thought.
With â¤some imagination, âyou can⣠craft words to describe â˘the world around you âŁin more precise and âŁpoetic ways. Try âadding suffixes toâ your⣠everyday words âand enrichâ your âwords! Improve Your Vocabulary With Suffixes
Learning English canâ be a challenging journey, âparticularly when it comes âto expanding your vocabulary. However,⣠there âare several techniques and strategies that can⤠aid you⢠in this process. One suchâ technique that can greatly âenhance your vocabulary isâ understanding and âutilizing⢠suffixes.
Suffixes are⢠added to the end âŁof aâ word to change its⣠meaning or form a new word altogether. By familiarizing âŁyourself with âŁcommon⣠suffixes and their meanings, you can unlock a treasure âtrove â˘of vocabulary â˘options. Here âare a few â¤key⣠suffixes to get you started:
1. -er / -or: This âŁsuffix⢠is â˘often used to indicate aâ person âor thing that âŁperformsâ a specific action.⤠For⤠example, addingâ -er to âŁthe âword “teach” creates “teacher,” âŁreferring to someone â˘who âŁteaches. Similarly, adding -or to “act”â results inâ “actor,” meaning a person âŁwhoâ acts.
2.â -ness: This suffix is used to form nouns and indicates âa state, condition, or quality. For instance, adding -ness⢠to the word “kind” â¤forms “kindness,” representing â˘the quality of being kind. Likewise, adding -ness to “happiness” gives you⤠the ânoun form of⣠the âŁadjective “happy.”
3. -able â¤/⣠-ible: This suffix â˘is utilized to âŁform adjectives âŁmeaning “capable⣠of” or “able to âbe.” For â¤example,â adding -able to “read” â¤creates â”readable,” âimplyingâ that something is capable of being read. Similarly,â adding -ible to “digest” results in “digestible,” indicating that a substance⣠is able to be âdigested.
4. -ment: When â˘attached to âŁa verb, theâ suffix -ment transforms itâ intoâ a noun representing the action â¤or âresult of â˘that verb. âFor instance, adding -ment â˘toâ “enjoy” gives you “enjoyment,” which describes the state or process⢠ofâ experiencing⤠pleasure.
5. â-ful / -less: These two suffixes are used to form adjectives.⢠Addingâ -ful to âa noun intensifies⤠its meaning, while âadding -less creates the opposite meaning. For instance, â˘adding -ful⤠toâ “wonder” forms “wonderful,” indicating something is full of⢠wonder. Adding -less to “hope” gives you “hopeless,”⣠meaning the⢠absence of hope.
By incorporating these âsuffixes into your â¤language learning journey, you will gradually develop a broaderâ and more nuanced âŁvocabulary. However, it’s⣠essential to remember that the⢠context of âŁthese suffixes mayâ change â˘depending â˘on the wordâ they âare⣠added to. âRegular âpractice and exposure toâ English words and their suffixes will ultimately help you gain a deeper understanding of their usage.
To further enhance your knowledge, consider using vocabulary-building âŁresources such as online suffix âdictionaries, flashcards, or even joining â˘study groups that focus⢠on âŁword formation. Challenge yourself byâ reading English âtexts,â listening to⤠podcasts or watching movies⢠toâ identify and comprehend the â˘various suffixes used. Actively incorporate the new⣠vocabulary in âwriting âand speaking âŁexercises to solidify your⢠understanding.
Remember, âbuilding âa strong âEnglish vocabulary takes time and effort. But with âperseverance âand the use ofâ suffixes, you will progress on yourâ journey to becomingâ a proficient English speaker. Practice regularly, be âcurious, and have faithâ in your ability⣠to learn and improve. Good luck!
Are youâ ready toâ expand your English⤠vocabulary? With the help of suffixes, â¤you now have a powerful tool to helpâ you do just that! With practice and dedication, â¤you canâ add to⢠your existing language skills and enrichen âyour words to âbetter express your ideas. Already have a word in mind? Try adding the⤠right suffix and watch âyour language â¤transform⤠in⤠real time.