Answered on : 2024-07-11
The best way to locate a suffix is to look for a word part that is added to the end of a word root. A suffix consists of one or more letters that are appended to the end of a word to create a new word or alter the word's grammatical function. For example, the addition of the suffix "-er" to the verb "read" forms the noun "reader"[1][2][10].
Here are some key points about suffixes:
- **Definition**: A suffix is a letter or group of letters added at the end of a word to form a new word or change the grammatical function of the original word[2][8].
- **Types of Changes**:
- **Inflectional Suffixes**: These suffixes change grammatical properties such as tense, number, or comparison without changing the word's core meaning. Examples include "-ed" (walk → walked) and "-s" (dog → dogs)[5].
- **Derivational Suffixes**: These suffixes create a new word with a new meaning that is derived from the original word. Examples include "-able" (read → readable) and "-ful" (care → careful)[5][8].
- **Common Suffixes and Their Meanings**: Understanding common suffixes can help in determining the meanings of unfamiliar words. For instance, the suffix "-less" when added to a noun implies "without" (e.g., "thoughtless" means "without thought")[2].
- **Importance of Context**: Some suffixes may have multiple meanings depending on the context of the word. Knowing the context helps in understanding the correct meaning of the word with the suffix[2].
By learning to identify suffixes and understanding their functions, you can significantly expand your vocabulary and improve your understanding of the English language.