Here's a breakdown:
Suffixes are used to modify the meaning of a word, often indicating things like:
* Noun formation: -ation, -ism, -ity, -ment, -ness
* Adjective formation: -able, -ful, -ic, -ous, -ive
* Verb formation: -ate, -en, -ify, -ize
* Other grammatical functions: -ly (adverb formation), -er (comparative adjective), -est (superlative adjective)
Greek and Latin suffixes are particularly common in English vocabulary due to the influence of these languages on English. They often create more technical or scientific terms.
Examples:
* -logy: study of (biology, geology, psychology)
* -graph: instrument for writing or recording (autograph, seismograph)
* -meter: measure (thermometer, speedometer)
* -itis: inflammation (bronchitis, arthritis)
Note: Sometimes the same suffix can be used to form different parts of speech, depending on the root word. For example, "-ation" can form nouns (formation, civilization) or verbs (educate, animate).
Learning these suffixes can be helpful for:
* Understanding the meanings of unfamiliar words.
* Building vocabulary.
* Improving reading comprehension.
* Forming new words.
If you're interested in learning more about specific Greek or Latin suffixes, you can find comprehensive lists online or in dictionaries.