Suffixes
A clear understanding of common suffixes, or word endings, is essential. With these suffixes, you can transform a noun into a verb, adjective, or adverb and, therefore, significantly increase your vocabulary.
Concept
- Concept, concepts, conception (nouns)
- Conceptual (adjective)
- Conceptually (adverb)
- Conceptualize (verb)
- Conceptualization (noun)
Below are lists of common word endings for nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs. With a partner, think of two examples for each suffix:
Common Noun Endings (things)
- -tion
- -sion
- -ence
- -ance
- -ity
- -hood
- -dom
- -th
- -age
- -y
- -ship
- -tude
- -ism
- -cracy
- -logy
- -ness
- -ment
- -let
Common Noun Endings (people)
- -er
- -or
- -ist
- -ent
- -ee
- -ic
- -ian
- -ant
Common Verb Endings
- -en
- -ify
- -ise (ize)
- -ate
Common Adjective Endings
- -ate
- -ous
- -al
- -able
- -like
- -ible
- -ish
- -ant
- -esque
- -y
- -ic
- -ical
- -less
- -ive
- -ly
- -ful
Common Adverb Endings
- -ly
- -wise
Exercise
Using what you have learned, complete the activity.