What does adding to the end of a word mean?

Adding to the end of a word is called suffixation. It's a common way to change the meaning or grammatical function of a word. Here's a breakdown:

What suffixes do:

* Change grammatical function:

* Nouns: -ness (kindness), -ship (friendship), -hood (childhood)

* Verbs: -ing (running), -ed (played), -er (jumper)

* Adjectives: -er (bigger), -est (biggest), -ly (quickly)

* Change meaning:

* Adding meaning: -ful (helpful), -less (useless), -able (breakable)

* Making a word negative: -un (unhappy), -dis (disagree), -in (inaccurate)

* Form new words:

* Combining words: -wise (clockwise), -ward (homeward)

Examples:

* "Run" (verb) becomes "runner" (noun) by adding the suffix "-er"

* "Happy" (adjective) becomes "unhappy" (adjective) by adding the prefix "-un"

* "Care" (noun) becomes "carefully" (adverb) by adding the suffix "-fully"

Understanding suffixes is essential for:

* Building vocabulary: Recognizing suffixes helps you understand unfamiliar words.

* Writing correctly: Using suffixes accurately improves your grammar and writing style.

* Reading comprehension: Suffixes provide clues to the meaning and function of words in text.

Let me know if you want to explore any specific types of suffixes or have more questions about this topic.