Suffixes

Learning Objectives

Identify suffixes in words in order to improve pronunciation

Suffixes-a letter or group of letters added to the end of a word in order to form a different word, often changing the part of speech of the root word.

Root Word+Suffix=new word

Common Suffixes:

Suffix

Meaning

Words

-able, -ible can be done believable, accessible
-al, -ial having characteristics of personal, residential
-en made of wooden
-er comparative (more) higher
-est Comparative (most) largest
-ful full of beautiful
-ion, -tion a state, condition or process erosion, adoption
-ity, -ty state of infinity, obesity
-ive, -ative, -itive (adjective form) decorative, innovative, insensitive
-less without fearless
-ous, -eous, ious having qualities of Joyous, nauseous, vivacious

 

tips for teaching

Suffixes that begin with a consonant are added directly to the base word

Example: mouth+ful=mouthful

 

When the base word ends in two consonants, add a vowel suffix.

Example: resident+ial=residential

 

When the base word ends in a single Y, change the Y to an I before adding the suffix.

(This rule applies to both consonant suffixes and vowel suffixes.)

Example: silly+ness=silliness