1. Changing the Part of Speech:
* -er: Turns a verb into a noun, indicating someone or something that does the action. (Example: "teach" becomes "teacher")
* -ing: Turns a verb into a noun, indicating the action itself. (Example: "sing" becomes "singing")
* -ly: Turns an adjective into an adverb, describing how something is done. (Example: "slow" becomes "slowly")
2. Adding Specificity:
* -ful: Means "full of." (Example: "hope" becomes "hopeful")
* -less: Means "without." (Example: "care" becomes "careless")
* -ment: Indicates a state or result. (Example: "enjoy" becomes "enjoyment")
3. Changing the Meaning:
* -ize: Turns a noun or adjective into a verb, often with the meaning "to make" or "to become." (Example: "modern" becomes "modernize")
* -able: Indicates something is capable of being done. (Example: "understand" becomes "understandable")
* -ness: Turns an adjective into a noun, indicating a quality or state. (Example: "happy" becomes "happiness")
Examples:
* "Happy" (adjective) + "-ness" (suffix) = "Happiness" (noun)
* "Run" (verb) + "-er" (suffix) = "Runner" (noun)
* "Strong" (adjective) + "-ly" (suffix) = "Strongly" (adverb)
Key Takeaway:
Sufixes can add subtle shades of meaning or completely alter the part of speech and meaning of a word. By understanding common suffixes, you can expand your vocabulary and grasp the nuances of language.