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Suffixes can change the word class and the meaning of the word.
Common noun suffixes
Suffixe | Meaning | Examples | -er | used for the person who does an activity | writer, worker, consumer, teacher | -er-->-or | sometimes, the -er is written as -or | doctor, sailor, supervisor | -er/-or | used for things that do a particular job | pencil sharpener, computer, bottle opener, grater, projector | -er & -ee | can contrast with each other -er: person who does something -ee: person who receives or experiences the action | employer/ employee, sender/ addressee, payee | -tion/-sion/-ion | used to form nouns from verbs | complication, pollution, reduction, donation, promotion, admission | -ism/-ist | -ism: an activity or ideology -ist: a person used for beliefs and ideologies, and sometimes professions | liberalism, Buddhism, jornalism, typist, physicist, terrorist, pianist | -ness | used to form nouns from adjectives | goodness, laziness, forgetfulness, happiness, sadness |
Adjective suffixes
Suffixe | Meaning | Examples | -able/ible | combined with verbs often means ' can be done' | washable, flexible, drinkable, breakable, forgivable, readable, edible |
Verbs
Suffixe | Meaning | Examples | -ize | forms verbs from adjectives | modernize, commercialize |
Other suffixes that can help you recognize the word class
Suffixe | Meaning | Examples | -ment | form nouns | excitement, enjoyment, replacement | -ity | form nouns | flexibility, productivity, scarcity | -hood | abstract nouns, especially family terms | childhood, motherhood | -ship | abstract nouns, especially status | friendship, partnership, membership | -ive | form adjectives | passive, productive, active | -al | form adjectives or nouns | (adjectives) brutal, legal, (nouns) refusal, arrival | -ous | form adjectives | delicious, outrageous, furious | -ful | form adjectives | forgetful, hopeful, useful | -less | form adjectives | useless, harmless, homeless | -ify | form verbs | beautify, purify, terrify |
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