Adjectival Suffixes
These are word endings that change a noun or verb into an adjective. Here are some common examples:
* -al: *national*, *original*, *practical*
* -ful: *beautiful*, *careful*, *helpful*
* -ic: *historic*, *energetic*, *athletic*
* -ish: *childish*, *selfish*, *bluish*
* -ous: *famous*, *dangerous*, *nervous*
* -y: *happy*, *sleepy*, *cloudy*
How Adjectival Suffixes Differ from Other Suffixes
While adjectival suffixes turn words into adjectives, other suffixes have different functions:
* Noun suffixes: These suffixes create nouns from other word types:
* -er/-or: *teacher*, *actor*, *writer*
* -ment: *movement*, *argument*, *treatment*
* -tion/-sion: *creation*, *decision*, *extension*
* Verb suffixes: These suffixes create verbs from other word types:
* -en: *shorten*, *widen*, *soften*
* -ize/-ise: *organize*, *realize*, *modernize*
* Adverb suffixes: These suffixes create adverbs from other word types:
* -ly: *quickly*, *slowly*, *happily*
* -ward: *backward*, *forward*, *upward*
Key Points:
* Adjectival suffixes modify nouns by describing their qualities.
* Other suffixes have distinct roles in creating different parts of speech.
* Recognizing these suffixes helps you understand how words are formed and used.
Let me know if you have any more questions!