Suffixes

A suffix is a letter or a group of letters that is added to the end of a root word to change its meaning. Suffixes can change the part of speech, tense, or meaning of the word. Learning suffixes can help improve your vocabulary and understanding of word structures.

Common Suffixes:

• -er (meaning "one who"): teacher, dancer, singer
• -est (meaning "most"): tallest, happiest, fastest
• -ful (meaning "full of"): playful, beautiful, helpful
• -less (meaning "without"): fearless, careless, homeless
• -ly (meaning "in a certain way"): quickly, happily, slowly
• -ing (used to form present participles): running, swimming, jumping

Study Tips:

Here are some tips to help you study and understand suffixes:

1. Break down words into root words and suffixes to understand their meanings.
2. Practice identifying common suffixes in different words.
3. Use suffixes in sentences to understand how they change the meaning of the root word.
4. Play word games or use flashcards to practice recognizing and using suffixes.

Examples:

Let's look at some examples of how suffixes change the meaning of words:

• Happy + -ness = happiness
• Friend + -ly = friendly
• Help + -ful = helpful
• Run + -ing = running

By understanding suffixes, you can expand your vocabulary and become a better reader and writer!

[Suffixes] Related Worksheets and Study Guides:

• Root WordsEnglish Language Arts • Second Grade
• PrefixesEnglish Language Arts • Second Grade
• Plural Ending -esEnglish Language Arts • Second Grade
• AbbreviationsEnglish Language Arts • Second Grade
• Roots/Prefixes/SuffixesEnglish Language Arts • Fourth Grade
• Root Words/Prefixes/SuffixesEnglish Language Arts • Third Grade