Suffixes: Examples and Formation

Suffixes: Examples and Formation

Suffixes are a type of affix that is added to the end of a word to change its meaning or to indicate a grammatical relationship. They are an essential part of the English language, and understanding how they work can significantly improve your reading and writing skills. In this article, we will explore the examples and formation of suffixes in the English language.

Examples of Suffixes

Suffixes can be found in various words in English. Some common examples of suffixes include:

1. -s: This suffix is used to indicate possession or to denote a plural form for nouns and pronouns. For example, "book" becomes "books" when the -s suffix is added.

2. -ing: This suffix is used to form the present participle or the gerund form of a verb. For example, "walk" becomes "walking" when the -ing suffix is added.

3. -ed: This suffix is used to form the past participle of a verb. For example, "walk" becomes "walked" when the -ed suffix is added.

4. -er: This suffix is used to form comparative adjectives and to create nouns from verbs. For example, "walk" becomes "walker" when the -er suffix is added.

5. -est: This suffix is used to form superlative adjectives. For example, "walk" becomes "fastest" when the -est suffix is added.

Formation of Suffixes

Suffixes are formed by adding a specific set of letters to the end of a word. The formation of suffixes can be influenced by the root word's origin, whether it is from Greek, Latin, or Anglo-Saxon.

1. Anglo-Saxon words tend to be the first taught words in primary school and are often common, everyday words found in primary grade texts. Examples include "cat," "do," "friend," and "want".

2. Latin words make up the majority of words in English and are generally polysyllabic and found in upper elementary and secondary literature, as well as expository texts. Words of Latin origin contain a root along with the addition of either a prefix and/or suffix. Examples include "informing," "conventional," and "disrupted."

3. Greek words form about 10% of the words we use and are found in students' science, math, and philosophy textbooks around the 3rd grade and beyond. Words of Greek origin tend to consist of a combination of roots that are connected to make a word. Examples include "chromosome," "hydrogen," "physiology," and "atmosphere."

Bound Morphemes

Bound morphemes are suffixes and prefixes that are meaningful units only when attached to another morpheme, which is the root word. Examples of bound morphemes that would help students comprehend the words being taught include -ed, -ing, -s, and -'s. When bound morphemes are added to a word, they can change the meaning of the word.

Free Morphemes

Free morphemes are another type of morpheme that can present difficulty for students. Free morphemes can stand alone as a word and do not have to be combined with other morphemes. An example of this type of morpheme is the word "man."

In conclusion, suffixes are an essential part of the English language, and understanding their examples and formation can significantly improve your reading and writing skills. By recognizing and using suffixes correctly, you can expand your vocabulary and communicate more effectively.