>> ZG·Lingua >  >> Theoretical Linguistics >> Syntax

What does adding the suffix do to base word?

Adding a suffix to a base word changes the word's meaning and/or grammatical function. Here's how:

1. Changing the Meaning:

* Nouns: Suffixes can turn verbs into nouns (e.g., "teach" + "-er" = "teacher") or adjectives into nouns (e.g., "happy" + "-ness" = "happiness").

* Verbs: Suffixes can turn adjectives into verbs (e.g., "strong" + "-en" = "strengthen") or nouns into verbs (e.g., "modern" + "-ize" = "modernize").

* Adjectives: Suffixes can turn nouns into adjectives (e.g., "nation" + "-al" = "national") or verbs into adjectives (e.g., "break" + "-able" = "breakable").

2. Changing the Grammatical Function:

* Nouns: Suffixes can turn verbs into nouns (e.g., "walk" + "-ing" = "walking").

* Verbs: Suffixes can turn nouns into verbs (e.g., "dust" + "-ing" = "dusting").

* Adjectives: Suffixes can turn nouns into adjectives (e.g., "sun" + "-ny" = "sunny").

Here are some examples:

* Base word: "care"

* Suffix: "-ful"

* New word: "careful" (adjective)

* Base word: "happy"

* Suffix: "-ness"

* New word: "happiness" (noun)

* Base word: "modern"

* Suffix: "-ize"

* New word: "modernize" (verb)

It's important to note that not all suffixes have a predictable effect on the base word. Some suffixes can have multiple meanings or change the word in unexpected ways.

Copyright © www.zgghmh.com ZG·Lingua All rights reserved.