In the ESL (English as a Second Language) classroom, teaching students about suffixes can be a powerful tool for enhancing their understanding of English vocabulary, grammar, and word formation. In this post we hope to introduce the most common suffixes used in English and a downloadable worksheet to practice the knowledge you get through the post. You may download it at the end of this post.
What are Suffixes?
A suffix is a set of letters that is added to the end of a
base or root word. By changing or adding these suffixes, new words can be
formed with different meanings or grammatical functions. For example, when you
add the suffix “-er” to the verb “teach,” you get the noun “teacher.” This
changes the word from an action (verb) into a person (noun) performing that
action.
Understanding suffixes is vital for ESL students because
they help determine not just the meaning of words but also the grammatical
structure, such as whether the word is a noun, verb, adjective, or adverb.
Types of Suffixes
Suffixes can be categorized into several types, and each
category serves a different purpose in word formation. Below are some of the
most common types of suffixes that are helpful for ESL learners to understand.
1. Suffixes that form Nouns
These suffixes turn words into nouns, typically referring to
people, places, things, or concepts.
- -er
/ -or: Refers to a person or thing that performs an action.
- teacher,
actor, director
- -ness:
Indicates a state or quality.
- happiness,
kindness, darkness
- -ment:
Indicates the action or result of something.
- development,
enjoyment, agreement
- -ion
/ -tion / -sion: Refers to the action or process of something.
- celebration,
action, decision
- -ity
/ -ty: Refers to a state or condition.
- activity,
reality, clarity
- -ance
/ -ence: Refers to a state or quality.
- importance, confidence, performance
2. Suffixes that form Adjectives
These suffixes turn words into adjectives, often describing
qualities or characteristics.
- -ful:
Means "full of" or "characterized by."
- beautiful,
careful, joyful
- -less:
Means "without" or "lacking."
- hopeless,
careless, fearless
- -ous:
Means "full of" or "having the qualities of."
- dangerous,
famous, joyous
- -ic:
Pertaining to or characterized by.
- historic,
economic, musical
- -able
/ -ible: Indicates the ability to do something.
- readable,
acceptable, incredible
- -ive:
Often describes a tendency or quality.
- active,
creative, defensive
3. Suffixes that form Verbs
These suffixes turn words into verbs, often implying an
action or process.
- -ize
/ -ise: To make or become.
- realize,
organize, finalize
- -ify:
To make or cause to become.
- simplify,
beautify, clarify
- -ate:
To cause to be or to become.
- activate,
celebrate, educate
4. Suffixes that form Adverbs
These suffixes typically form adverbs, often from
adjectives, and describe how something is done.
- -ly:
Indicates the manner or way in which something is done.
- quickly,
happily, carefully
5. Other Common Suffixes
- -y:
Often turns nouns or adjectives into adjectives or creates a sense of
quality.
- rainy,
snowy, hairy
- -hood:
Refers to a state or condition, often related to a person's life or
position.
- childhood,
brotherhood, neighborhood
- -ship:
Indicates a state, condition, or quality, often related to a relationship
or position.
- friendship,
leadership, partnership
Teacher can plan Interactive activities like word formation
games, crossword puzzles, and matching games can engage students and allow them
to practice applying suffixes to different words.
Use this worksheet to test your students’ knowledge on suffixes. (answer sheet included)
Suffixes are an essential part of the English language and
can greatly expand a learner's vocabulary. Understanding these common suffixes
helps students form new words, enrich their communication, and grasp the
nuances of meaning in different contexts. Mastery of suffixes also aids in
spelling, pronunciation, and understanding of word structure, which are key for
both writing and speaking.
If you find the post is useful, please share it among your students
who learn English as a second language. Leave a suffix with an example in the
comment section to develop this post further.
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