BGC Senegal

Use suffixes to craft your lexicon and let your speech sparkle!

Don’t just sit idly by — give your speech some fire by mastering suffixes! Suffixes are an easy way to modify, or change the meaning of words without changing the base word — imagine the possibilities! Mastering suffixes is simple when you understand the fundamentals.

A suffix is an affix added to the end of a word, often transforming its meaning. Familiarize yourself with the common suffixes used in English and you’ll be able to define any concept simply.

Use -able/-ible as an adjective to describe something that can be done or experienced. For example, “comfort” + “able” = “comfortable”; “respect” + “ible” = “respectible”.

The suffix -ly will add the quality of something. “Quick” + “ly” = “Quickly”; “Grace” + “ly” = “Gracefully”.

The suffix -ness will turn the adjective form into a noun, with a meaning of the quality in question. “Gentle” + “ness” = “Gentleness”; “Soft” + “ness” = “Softness”.

Suffixes can also change a verb into a noun, like -er/-or. “Decide” + “er” = “Decider”; “Calculate” + “or” = “Calculator”.

The suffix -ment will typically convert a verb into a noun to express an action or result. “Employ” + “ment” = “Employment”; “Invest” + “ment” = “Investment”.

Enhance your lexicon with suffixes and unlock the potential of your speech! Improve Your Vocabulary With Suffixes

Figuring out how to expand your English vocabulary isn’t always easy – but learning how to use suffixes can be a great way to start!

A suffix is defined as a word part added to the end of a word in order to change the word’s meaning. Familiarizing yourself with common suffixes can help you understand and discover new words, making your English more expressive. Here are the most common suffixes, their definitions, and some example words:

-er / -or: Used to create words that represent people who do a certain action; e.g. writer, painter

-ment: Used to create words that refer to a state or action; e.g. agreement, freedom

-ness: Used to create words that refer to a feeling or quality; e.g. happiness, gentleness

-ism: Used to create words that refer to a belief or doctrine; e.g. capitalism, Buddhism

-ly: Used to create words that describe an action or habit; e.g. quickly, sweetly

-y: Used to create words that describe a quality; e.g. soggy, crispy

-able: Used to create words that are used in opposite of “un-” words; e.g. workable, comfortable

-ful: Used to create words that refer to having a certain quality; e.g. powerful, peaceful

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By mastering the joys of suffixes, knowledge is no longer a distant dream. With this newfound insight, you can make your vocabulary stand out above the rest. As the Latin saying goes, “Verba volant, scripta manent” – words fly away, written words remain. With the power of suffixes, you too can create a veritable lexicon of unforgettable words!