Víctor Almagro, Carlos de la Rosa, Marc Fernández, 2nd 3
Suffixes
A suffix is an affix which is placed after the stem of a word.
Derivational suffixes: Change the meaning of the original word
Adjective suffixes: Make adjectives from nouns
ADJECTIVES MADE FROM NOUNS
SUFFIX MEANING
-ful
EXAMPLES
Form adjectives from nouns. HarmHarmful
Possession of the quality of PainPainful
that noun.
-less
Lack of something
HomeHomeless // PainPainless
-al
Of or pertaining to
BaseBasal
Forming nouns, especially of ProposeProposal
verbal action
-y
Having the quality of
MessMessy
Inclined to
RunRunny
Affection
PupPuppy
ADJECTIVES MADE FROM VERBS
SUFFIX MEANING
EXAMPLES
-ive
Relating or belonging
ActActive // AttractAttractive
-ible
forms adjectives meaning:
ConvertConvertible
able to be
CollectCollectible
relevant or suitable
expressing capacity
-able
forms adjectives meaning:
MoveMovable
able to be done
FashionFashionable
relevant to or suitable to
giving, or inclined to
due to be
Víctor Almagro, Carlos de la Rosa, Marc Fernández, 2nd 3
Noun suffixes: Make nouns from verbs, adjectives or nouns
NOUNS MADE FROM ANOTHER NOUNS
SUFFIX MEANING
EXAMPLES
-ism
ProfessionalProfessionalism
Form nouns of actions
CriticCriticism
-ist
-ship
Someone
who
does ArtArtist
something
Violin  Violinist
Property or state of being
FellowFellowship // Owner Ownership
NOUNS MADE FROM ADJECTIVES
SUFFIX MEANING
EXAMPLES
-ety
Form a noun from an adjective
AnxiousAnxiety // Safe Safety
-ism
Form nouns of actions
ProfessionalProfessionalism
CriticCriticism
-ity
Form a noun from an adjective
EqualEquality // RigidRigisity
-ence
Having the state or condition
Different Difference // IntelligentIntelligence
-ness
Form nouns
CalmCalmness // KindKindness
-ure
A process; a condition; a LiterateLiterature
result of an action
DefeatDefeature
An official entity or function
NOUNS MADE FROM VERBS
SUFFIX MEANING
EXAMPLES
-ant/
An adjective derived from a AssistanceAssistant
-ent
verb, state or condition
-ation
Action, process, result, state ExamineExamination
-ance/
ImmigrateImmigrant
or quality
ImagineImagination
Having the state or condition
AppearAppearance
-ence
PreferPreference
-er/-or
Person or thing
ReadReader // Cook Cooker
-ion
Action, process, state or condition
ToxicIntoxication // ActAction
-ment
Form nouns from verbs
EnjoyEnjoyment // Rich Enrichment
-ism
Form nouns of actions
ConsumerConsumerism//CriticCriticism
-ure
Process, condition; a result of an
LiterateLiterature //DefeatDefeature
action. Official entity or function
Víctor Almagro, Carlos de la Rosa, Marc Fernández, 2nd 3
Noun suffixes: Do not change the meaning of the original word
SUFFIX MEANING
EXAMPLES
–s
third person singular present
She doShe does // She playShe plays
-ed
past tense
PlayPlayed // RuinRuined
-t
past tense
DreamDreamt // KeepKept
-ing
progressive/continuous
Do Doing // Solve Solving
-en
past participle
ForgiveForgiven // TakeTaken
-s
plural
Book Books // ExerciseExercises
-en
plural (irregular)
Child Children
-er
comparative
SoonSooner // FastFaster
-est
superlative
BigBiggest // FastFastest
-n't
negative
DoDon’t // Is Isn’t
Víctor Almagro, Carlos de la Rosa, Marc Fernández, 2nd 3
Prefixes
A prefix is an affix which is placed before the stem of a word.
Negative prefixes
NEGATIVE PREFIXES TO CREATE NOUNS, VERBS AND ADJECTIVES
PREFIX MEANING
EXAMPLES
Dis-
The opposite of, not
Dishonest // Dislike
Il-(l)
The opposite of, not
Illegal // Illicit
Im-(p)
The opposite of, not
Impolite // Impossible
In-
The opposite of, not
Insane // Inevitable
Ir-(r)
The opposite of, not
Irrational // Irregular
Non-
Not
Non-fiction // Non-sense
Un-
The opposite of, the absence Unfair // Unfriendly
of, not
OTHER PREFIXES
PREFIX MEANING
EXAMPLES
Anti-
Against
Antisocial // Anti-climax
Cyber-
Computer and internet
Cyberspace // Cybercafé
Extra-
Exceptionality, outside
Extra-terrestrial //Extraordinary
Inter-
Between, among
Interaction // International
Mis-
Wrong, bad
Misconception // Misunderstand
Multi-
Various
Multilingual // Multi-task
Over-
Too much
Oversleep // Overwork
Pre-
Before
Pre-Christmas // Pre-war
Post-
After
Postgraduate // Post-war
Re-
Again, back
Recycle // Revisit
Sub-
Beneath, below
Subconscious // Subordinate
Super-
More than, special
Supersonic // Superstar
Under-
Too little
Undercharge // Undercook