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Suffixes are words attached at the end of root words to derive a newer meaning. Let us explore the usage of some suffixes:
1. Suffixes that derive plurals: The suffix "s", "es" usually brings about the plural meaning.
Example:
object - objects
wish - wishes
bottle - bottles
2. Suffixes that derive tenses: The suffix "ed" usually is used for past tense.
The suffix "ing" usually is used for present tense.
Example:
walk - walked
type - typed
run - running
sing - singing
3. Suffixes that mean consequential: The suffixes "ate", "en", "ify", "ize" usually mean 'to become'.
Example:
complex - complicate
tight - tighten
straight - straighten
beauty - beautify
strategy - strategize
4. Suffixes that mean quality: The suffixes "acy", "ly", "ance", "ity", "ty", "tion" usually mean the quality of being.
Example:
supreme - supremacy
normal - normally
dominate - dominance
active - activity
honest - honesty
promote - promotion
5. Suffixes that mean the study of: The suffix "logy" usually denotes the field of study.
Example:
biology
ornithology
ecology
Here is a list of commonly used suffixes:
Suffix | Meaning | Example |
s, es | plural | things, buses |
ed | past tense | obtained |
ing | present tense | training |
ate | to become | hibernate |
en | to become | enlighten |
ify | to become | notify |
ize | to become | revolutionize |
ise | to become | advertise |
ly | explain quality | swiftly, slowly |
acy | state or quality | supremacy |
ance | state or quality | acceptance |
dom | state of being in | freedom, boredom |
er, ian, ost, eer | one who is | teacher, engineer, technician |
ism | belief | Hinduism, Buddhism |
ist | one who is | extremist, Buddhist |
ity, ty | quality | honesty, responsibility |
ment | condition of | improvement |
ness | condition of, state | sadness |
ion, tion, sion | state of being | promotion, condensation |
o-logy | study of | biology, ecology |
Some of the suffixed words from the lesson "Kathmandu" are:
- confusion
- direction
- association
- permission
- attention
- worshipper
- Westerner
- screaming
- nauseating
- stillness
- quietness
- Buddhist
- mindlessly
- directly
- certainly