Expand your lexicon with these easy suffixes! By learning and understanding how to add suffixes to words, you can easily expand your English vocabulary. Suffixes are letter(s) or groups of letters added to the end of a word that change or add to its meaning. Here are some common suffixes to help you expand your English lexicon:
-er: adding this suffix can form nouns, and usually indicates a person who performs an action (sing->singer)
-able: this suffix usually refers to something that is capable of, permitted or fit for (care->careable)
-ment: adding this suffix usually means the creation or result of an action (govern->government)
-ly: commonly used to change adjectives or verbs into adverbs (hope->hopefully)
-ship: usually changes a noun or verb into a position or status (friend->friendship)
So get creative and explore these easy suffixes! Improve Your Vocabulary With Suffixes
Are you eager to enhance your English vocabulary and sound more fluent in conversations? Look no further! In this article, we will delve into the world of suffixes and how they can revolutionize your language skills. By understanding and utilizing suffixes, you will be able to form new words effortlessly and expand your lexicon exponentially.
So, what exactly are suffixes? In linguistic terms, a suffix is a word part that is added at the end of a base word to change its meaning or create a new word altogether. Learning different suffixes will give you the power to decipher and derive meaning from new words you encounter, even if you have never seen them before.
One of the most common suffixes in English is “-er.” This suffix is used to indicate someone or something that performs a certain action or possesses a particular quality. For instance, by adding “-er” to the base word ”teach,” we get “teacher,” meaning a person who teaches. Similarly, “writer” is formed by adding the suffix to “write,” indicating someone who writes.
Another widely used suffix is “-ize” or “-ise.” This suffix is employed to convert a noun or an adjective into a verb. For example, by adding “-ize” to the word “modern,” we get “modernize,” which means to update or bring something up to date. Similarly, “normalize” is formed by adding the suffix to ”normal,” indicating the process of making something normal.
One suffix that can alter word meaning in a negative way is “-less.” Adding this suffix to a word indicates the absence or lack of what the base word represents. For instance, “fearless” is formed by adding “-less” to “fear,” meaning without fear or brave. Likewise, “careless” is derived by attaching “-less” to “care,” signifying a lack of care or negligence.
Additionally, the suffix “-ful” is often used to convey the idea of fullness, abundance, or possessing a quality. By adding “-ful” to the word “wonder,” we obtain “wonderful,” meaning full of wonder or something that evokes admiration. Likewise, “grateful” is formed by adding the suffix to “grate,” indicating a feeling of appreciation or thankfulness.
It is important to note that while suffixes are commonly used, there are exceptions and irregularities. Therefore, it is advisable to consult a reliable English dictionary or language resource to ensure accurate usage.
By familiarizing yourself with the various suffixes in English, you will be able to decipher meanings, form new words, and comprehend the language with greater ease. Keep practicing and applying these suffixes in your conversations, reading, and writing. With time and dedication, your vocabulary will flourish, making you a more confident and articulate English speaker.
By now, you should be feeling much more confident when it comes to understanding and using simple suffixes. With some practice, you can start to expand your lexicon to impress everyone with your newly acquired knowledge. And who knows, maybe you’ll even impress yourself!