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.

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