SUFFIXES
A suffix is a letter or a group of letters added to the end of a word to change its grammatical function (e.g.,
from a noun to an adjective) or to adjust its form. While suffixes don’t drastically change the core meaning
of a word, they often modify its role in a sentence.
For example:
Amuse (verb) → Amusement (noun)
Happy (adjective) → Happiness (noun)
Care (noun) → Careful (adjective)
Types of Suffixes
Noun Verb Adjective Adverb
Suffixes Suffixes Suffixes Suffixes
NOUN SUFFIXES
SUFFIX DEFINITION EXAMPLES
-er / -or Person or thing that performs an action Teacher, Actor
-ness State or quality Kindness, Darkness
-ion / -tion / -sion Action or process Decision, Action, Tension
-ment Action or result Development, Enjoyment
-ity State or condition Reality, Flexibility
-ance / -ence State or quality Performance, Independence
-ship State or condition of being Friendship, Leadership
-hood State or condition Childhood, Neighborhood
-ism Belief, practice, or ideology Optimism, Realism
-ist Person who practices or is concerned with something Artist, Scientist
ADJECTIVE SUFFIXES
SUFFIX DEFINITION EXAMPLES
-ful Full of, characterized by Joyful, Helpful
-less Without Hopeless, Fearless
-able / -ible Capable of being, worthy of Reliable, Accessible
-ous Full of, having qualities of Dangerous, Famous
-ic / -ical Pertaining to, related to Historic, Magical
-ive Having the nature of Active, Creative
-al Pertaining to, related to National, Cultural
VERB SUFFIXES
SUFFIX DEFINITION EXAMPLES
-ize / -ise To make, to become Modernize, Organize
-en To make or become Widen, Shorten
-ify To make, to turn into Simplify, Magnify
ADVERB SUFFIXES
SUFFIX DEFINITION EXAMPLES
-ly In a manner or way Quickly, Happily
-ward In a direction Forward, Backward
-wise In a manner or direction Otherwise, Clockwise
PRACTICE
EXERCISE I: Match the suffix with the grammatical function it performs
SUFFIX FUNCTION
-er (a) Creates a noun from an adjective
-ness (b) Creates an adverb from an adjective
-ly (c) Creates a verb from an adjective/noun
-ize (d) Creates a noun from verb
EXERCISE II: Add the appropriate noun suffix to the word in parentheses to complete the sentences.
1. His _____________(decide) was final, and no one could change it.
2. The _________________ (achieve) of the team was celebrated at the end of the season.
3. She was promoted due to her exceptional ________________ (perform) at work.
4. The _______________ (rely) of the new system was confirmed after several tests.
5. They are studying the _______________ (appear) of new species in the ecosystem.
6. The company was honored for its _______________ (innovate) in technology.
7. The festival celebrates the ______________ (diverse) of cultures in the region.
8. There was a lot of _______________ (interesting) in the new product release.
9. The ______________ (assist) provided by the volunteers was greatly appreciated.
10. The _________________ (develop) of renewable energy sources is a priority for the government.
EXERCISE III: Add the appropriate noun suffix to the word in parentheses to complete the sentences
1. The story was so __________ (interest) that I couldn’t stop reading.
2. The ______ (help) students worked together to finish the group project.
3. The movie was __________ (entertain) and kept us laughing all through.
4. The weather was _________ (danger), with a strong storm warning.
5. The garden looked _______ (beauty) after the flowers bloomed.
6. The child was _______ (care) when handling the fragile vase.
7. The new design is much more __________ (fashion) than the old one.
8. Her _____ (joy) face lit up when she saw the surprise.
9. The _________ (mystery) disappearance of the document remains unsolved.
10. The book was ________ (inspire) and motivated me to follow my dreams.
EXERCISE IV: Add the appropriate noun suffix to the word in parentheses to complete the sentences
1. The story was so ______________ (interest) that I couldn’t stop reading.
2. The ______________ (help) students worked together to finish the group project.
3. The movie was _______________ (entertain) and kept us laughing all through.
4. The weather was ______________ (danger), with a strong storm warning.
5. The garden looked ______________ (beauty) after the flowers bloomed.
6. The child was _____________ (care) when handling the fragile vase.
7. The new design is much more ______________ (fashion) than the old one.
8. Her _____________ (joy) face lit up when she saw the surprise.
9. The ______________ (mystery) disappearance of the document remains unsolved.
10. The book was _______________ (inspire) and motivated me to follow my dreams.
