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
