Having strong communication skills is essential to success. Utilizing the right language and knowing a lot of words can help you express yourself and craft a convincing argument. To help improve your communication, why not focus on improving your vocabulary through suffixes?
Suffixes are the letter combinations added to the end of root words. They can change the spelling, meaning and part of speech of a word. Here are some common English suffixes and how the words change when they are added:
• -ly: This suffix changes the word into an adverb. For example, the word ”quick” becomes ”quickly.”
• -ment: This suffix changes the word into a noun. For example, the word “govern” becomes ”government.”
• -tion: This suffix changes the word into a noun. For example, the word “speak” becomes “speech.”
• -al: This suffix changes the word into an adjective or noun. For example, the word “predict” becomes “predictable.”
The next time you come across an unfamiliar word, try to determine what suffix it has. This will help you gain the meaning of the word more quickly. With practice, this activity will help you expand your vocabulary and improve your writing and speaking. Improve Your Vocabulary With Suffixes
Learning English can be a challenging task, especially when it comes to expanding your vocabulary. One effective way to enhance your word knowledge is by understanding and utilizing word suffixes. Suffixes are groups of letters added to the end of a base word to change its meaning or create a new word altogether. By familiarizing yourself with suffixes, you can unlock countless possibilities to express yourself more effectively in English.
Here are some common suffixes and their meanings:
1. -able/-ible: This suffix means “capable of” or “worthy of.” For example, adding “-able” to “read” creates the word “readable,” meaning something that can be read easily. Likewise, “visible” means something that can be seen.
2. -ful: Adding “-ful” to a word indicates that it is full of or has plenty of something. For instance, “careful” means to be cautious or pay attention. Similarly, ”colorful” describes something that is vibrant and full of various colors.
3. -less: This suffix conveys the absence or lack of something. For example, “fearless” means without fear, while “endless” refers to something that has no end.
4. -ment: Adding ”-ment” to a verb creates a noun that represents the process, result, or state of the verb. For instance, adding “-ment” to “manage” forms the noun “management,” which refers to the action or skill of controlling or directing.
5. -ness: This suffix indicates a state or condition. Adding “-ness” to an adjective creates a noun. For instance, “kindness” represents the state of being kind, while ”happiness” signifies the state of being happy.
6. -tion/-sion: These suffixes are often used to create nouns from verbs. For example, “inform” becomes “information,” and “expand” transforms into ”expansion.” These nouns represent the action or result of the original verb.
7. -er/-or: Adding “-er” or “-or” to a verb forms a noun that refers to a person or thing that performs a particular action. For instance, “teacher” refers to someone who teaches, and “actor” represents someone who acts.
Now that you are familiar with some common suffixes, it’s time to put them into practice. Whenever you come across a new word, try to identify its suffix and determine the meaning it adds to the base word. Understanding suffixes will enable you to grasp the meaning of unfamiliar words and expand your vocabulary.
To further enhance your word power, consider keeping a vocabulary journal. Whenever you encounter a new word with a suffix, write it down along with its definition and an example sentence. Review these words regularly to reinforce your understanding.
Another helpful exercise is to practice forming new words by adding different suffixes to base words. Experimenting with suffixes will not only improve your vocabulary but also enhance your ability to express yourself in various contexts.
Remember, learning English is an ongoing process. By incorporating the study of suffixes into your language journey, you will gradually develop a diverse and sophisticated vocabulary. So, embrace the power of suffixes, and watch your word knowledge flourish!
Want to understand people better and respond with ease? Put your fancy-schmancy vocabulary to work by mastering the basics of suffixes. Not only will you strengthen your communication, you’ll be able to rock any conversation. Suffixes are powerful tools for mastering the language and flexing your conversational muscles, so start practicing today!