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Questions and Answers
Which of the following can be formed using the -ee suffix?
In what contexts can the -ee suffix be used to create verbs?
What does adding the -ee suffix to a base word do?
Which of the following is NOT an example of a word with the -ee suffix?
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What type of verbs can be formed with the -ee suffix?
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In what contexts can the -ee suffix be found?
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What does the -ee suffix indicate?
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Study Notes
The -ee Suffix
The -ee suffix in English is a common and productive word formation element that is primarily used to create verbs from nouns. It is a nominalizing suffix that adds the meaning of "being, state, or condition" to the base word it is attached to. The -ee suffix is typically used to create verbs from nouns, resulting in a transitive or intransitive verb that is in the past participle form.
Uses of the -ee Suffix
The -ee suffix can be found in various contexts within English vocabulary:
- Intransitive Usage: In some cases, the -ee suffix is used to create intransitive verbs from nouns, indicating a state or condition that the subject is in. For example, "The chair was comfortable".
- Transitive Usage: More commonly, the -ee suffix is used to create transitive verbs from nouns, indicating a direct object that is the result of the verb's action. For example, "The chair was comfortable" is often used in the transitive form, "She made the chair comfortable", indicating that someone made the chair comfortable.
- Concrete and Abstract Meanings: The -ee suffix can be used to form verbs with both concrete and abstract meanings. Concrete examples include "The car was repaired" and "The room was painted", while abstract ones include "The evidence was presented" and "The story was told".
Formation of Verbs with the -ee Suffix
The -ee suffix is typically added to the base word, which usually takes the form of a noun. When the -ee suffix is added, the base word is converted into a transitive or intransitive verb, depending on the context. The suffix itself does not change, but it does attach to the base word to form the verb.
Examples of Words with the -ee Suffix
Here are some common words that use the -ee suffix:
- "The child was happy"
- "The book was read"
- "The city was visited"
- "The music was enjoyed"
- "The car was repaired"
- "The room was painted"
- "The evidence was presented"
- "The story was told"
Conclusion
The -ee suffix is a versatile and productive word formation element in English that allows for the creation of verbs from nouns, either in the transitive or intransitive form. It is used to indicate various states, conditions, and actions, and can be found in both concrete and abstract contexts.
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Description
Explore the versatile use of the -ee suffix in English language as a word formation element, converting nouns into verbs in either transitive or intransitive form. Learn how the suffix adds meaning of 'being, state, or condition' to base words and discover examples of concrete and abstract verbs formed using this suffix.
