Suffixes play a crucial role in the English language, providing additional meaning to words. In this section, we will explore some common suffixes and their uses.

Common Suffixes

Here are some of the most common suffixes in English:

  • -ness: Indicates a state or quality.

    • Happiness
    • Kindness
    • Tenderness

  • -ful: Indicates something that is full of or filled with.

    • Joyful
    • Hopeful
    • Trustful

  • -y: Indicates a quality of being.

    • Sunny
    • Windy
    • Sticky

  • -able: Indicates the possibility of being done or made.

    • Washable
    • Cookable
    • Teachable

  • -ment: Indicates the action or process.

    • Management
    • Entertainment
    • Education

Example

Let's look at an example to understand how suffixes can change the meaning of a word:

Word: Happy Suffix: -ness New Word: Happiness

The suffix -ness changes the word "happy" into a noun that describes the state or quality of being happy.

Further Reading

For more information on English suffixes, you can read our comprehensive guide on English Grammar.

Image: Suffixes

Suffixes