The English language is filled with powerful suffixes! Harness their power and upskill your vocabulary with these easy tips.
First, familiarize yourself with the six most common suffixes used in English: -tion, -able, -ment, -ly, -er and -ness. These suffixes indicate a certain quality of a noun, verb, adjective or adverb.
Next, use these suffixes to create new words from existing ones. For example, ‘sweet’ can be changed to ‘sweetness’ with the addition of the suffix ‘-ness’. And you can turn ‘eat’ into ‘eater’ with the suffix ‘-er’.
Try it out! Brainstorm a list of words you use often in your speech or writing and try adding a suffix to see how it changes the meaning. This exercise will help you learn new words and add depth to your writing.
Finally, keep practicing! Consistent practice is the key to improving your vocabulary and harnessing the power of suffixes. So get to it and upskill your vocabulary today! Improve Your Vocabulary With Suffixes
If you’re looking to enhance your English vocabulary, one effective technique is to learn and understand common suffixes. Suffixes are word elements added to the end of a base word, altering its meaning and creating new words. By familiarizing yourself with these suffixes, you can unlock a whole new world of words and expand your linguistic repertoire. Let’s explore some commonly used suffixes and how they can aid in improving your English vocabulary.
1. -er/-or: This versatile suffix denotes a person or thing that performs a certain action or has a particular role. For example, by adding “-er” to the word “teach,” you form “teacher,” which refers to someone who teaches. Likewise, by adding “-or” to “act,” you create “actor,” meaning a person who acts on stage or in films. This suffix is widely used in English, and recognizing it will allow you to decipher various professions and roles.
2. -able/-ible: When you add ”-able” or “-ible” to a base word, you create an adjective that means “capable of” or ”able to be.” For instance, “break” becomes “breakable,” suggesting that something can be easily broken, while “flex” turns into ”flexible,” indicating the ability to bend easily. Understanding this suffix is particularly useful when encountering new words and trying to determine their meanings.
3. -tion/-sion: These suffixes typically transform a verb into a noun, indicating an action, process, or state. For example, “communicate” becomes ”communication,” referring to the act of conveying information, and “decide” turns into ”decision,” representing the process of making a choice. By recognizing and utilizing these suffixes, you can better comprehend and express various concepts.
4. -ment: By adding ”-ment” to a verb, you form a noun that signifies an act, process, or result. For instance, “argue” becomes “argument,” meaning a verbal dispute, while “develop” transforms into “development,” referring to the progress or growth of something. Knowing this suffix allows you to recognize nouns associated with specific actions or outcomes.
5. -ful/-less: These suffixes are opposites of each other. “-ful” adds the meaning of “full of” or “having,” while “-less” conveys the absence or lack of something. For example, “careful” means cautious or full of care, while “careless” suggests the absence of care or attention. Understanding these suffixes can help you differentiate between words with opposite meanings.
6. -ly: Adding ”-ly” to an adjective creates an adverb that typically describes how an action is performed. For instance, “quick” becomes ”quickly,” indicating the speed at which something is done. Similarly, “happy” transforms into “happily,” specifying the manner in which someone is feeling happy. This suffix enables you to express actions and emotions more accurately.
By familiarizing yourself with these common suffixes, you can significantly expand your English vocabulary. Practice identifying and utilizing them in your daily reading and conversations, and gradually, you’ll notice a vast improvement in your language skills. Remember, learning new words and understanding their meanings is a continuous process, so keep exploring and never hesitate to delve into the depths of the English language.
So, you’ve got the basics in understanding the power of suffixes to upgrade your vocabulary. Don’t let these ‘word-enders’ just be the way you finish your sentences. Harness the power of suffixes to advance your language, excel your communication, and be the unforgettable speaker you want to be – today!