BGC SenegalExpand your vocabulary with the power of suffixes. Unlock the potential of your eBook of words and learn how to add suffixes to create new words.
By stringing different suffixes together, you can create a variety of meanings from one root word. For example, “teach” can be changed to “teacher,” “teaching,” or even “unteachable” and each version has a completely different connotation. Suffixes can even change a word’s part of speech, such as “walk” becoming a verb while “walker” becomes a noun.
Grow your vocabulary by getting to know the many suffixes and experimenting with combining them. Use them to make the most of your eBook of words and broaden your horizons. The power of suffixes is yours, so harness it and make your writing more dynamic. Improve Your Vocabulary With Suffixes
If you are studying English as a non-native speaker, you may find that expanding your vocabulary is one of the most challenging aspects of the language. Thankfully, there are various techniques and strategies that can help you enhance your word knowledge. One such technique is learning how to use suffixes effectively.
A suffix is a group of letters added to the end of a word to change its meaning or form a new word. By becoming familiar with common suffixes, you can significantly increase your vocabulary and better understand the meaning of different words. Let’s take a closer look at some commonly used suffixes and how they can help you improve your English vocabulary.
1. -er/-or
This suffix is often added to verbs to create nouns indicating a person or thing that performs a particular action. For example, the verb “teach” becomes the noun ”teacher” or ”doctor” becomes “doctor.” By recognizing this pattern, you can easily identify the profession or performer associated with the verb.
2. -ful
The suffix -ful is added to nouns and adjectives to create adjectives that mean “full of” or “having the qualities of.” For instance, ”grace” becomes “graceful,” meaning full of grace, or “cheer” becomes “cheerful,” meaning full of cheer. Utilizing this suffix will help you express yourself more precisely and with a richer vocabulary.
3. -less
The suffix -less is used to form adjectives that mean “without” or “lacking.” For example, “hope” becomes “hopeless,” meaning lacking hope, or “fear” becomes “fearless,” meaning without fear. Understanding this suffix will allow you to convey information about the absence of a particular quality in a concise manner.
4. -able/-ible
By adding either -able or -ible to a verb or noun, you can create adjectives that mean “capable of” or “possible.” For instance, “understand” becomes “understandable,” meaning capable of being understood, or “flex” becomes “flexible,” meaning able to bend easily. This suffix helps you describe and discuss the capacity or potential of someone or something.
5. -ment
The suffix -ment is used to create nouns indicating an action or process. It is often added to verbs, such as adding -ment to “argue” to create “argument” or adding -ment to “develop” to form “development.” By recognizing this suffix, you can easily identify and understand words associated with an action or process.
These are just a few examples of the many suffixes used in English. By understanding and using suffixes effectively, you can drastically improve your vocabulary and gain a deeper understanding of the English language. Practice identifying and using words with different suffixes in your daily conversations and written exercises to strengthen your word power.
Remember, learning new vocabulary takes time and practice, so don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Keep an English dictionary or a vocabulary notebook handy to jot down new words as you come across them. With dedication and regular practice, mastering suffixes and expanding your word bank will become second nature to you. Good luck on your vocabulary-building journey!
Now that you have acquainted yourself with the power of suffixes, why not start to expand your eBook of words by playing around with the different suffixes – a fun and interactive way to become a master of the English language!