Answer Key
Suffixes (2)
Use the words in brackets to form adjectives, nouns or verbs with the help of suffixation.
- All the boy needs is more [encouragement] (encourage) and much less [criticism] (criticize).
- The death of a martyr or the value attributed to it is called [martyrdom] (martyr).
- The ones I really can't stand are those who are [hypocritical] (hypocrite)!
- The book includes useful ideas for helping a [restless] (rest) child go to bed and quickly fall asleep.
- The names will be listed in [alphabetical] (alphabet) order, so don't worry.
- The student would do well to work on his [pronunciation] (pronounce) and [fluency] (fluent) in speech.
- He had a couple of the most [disgraceful] (disgrace) guests I have ever seen on his talk show on Friday night. Did you see it?
- The current [economic] (economy) situation in that country is not very [advantageous] (advantage) for the start-up of any type of new business.
- Nobody would guess that this [democratic] (democracy) country was once one of the strictest [dictatorships] (dictator) in the world.
- AdviceGuide helps to [identify] (identity) an unfair [dismissal] (dismiss) from work.
Common adjective suffixes
| -ful | Useful, careful, hopeful |
|---|---|
| -less | Useless, careless, hopeless |
| -y | Healthy, sleepy, windy |
| -ly | Friendly, monthly, homely |
| -ish | Childish, selfish, foolish |
| -ous | Humorous, dangerous, nervous |
| -able | Considerable, fashionable, curable |
| -ible | Incredible, illegible, convertible |
| -ed | Amazed, embarrassed, confused |
| -ing | Amazing, embarrassing, confusing |
| -al / -ical | Hysterical, national, political |
| -ic | Optimistic, pessimistic, specific |
| -ive | Creative, attractive, sensitive |
| -ant / -ent | Excellent, brilliant, confident |
| -ary / -ory | Introductory, compulsory, explanatory |
| -ate | Considerate, accurate, moderate |
| -ian | Canadian, Brazilian, Indian |
Common noun suffixes
| -eer | Mountaineer, puppeteer, engineer |
|---|---|
| -er | Player, teacher, employer |
| -or | Inspector, collector, censor |
| -ee | Employee, trainee, licensee |
| -ist | Capitalist, communist, pianist |
| -ant / -ent | Consultant, applicant, disinfectant |
| -ance / -ence | Performance, preference, reference |
| -ion (-ation / otion / ution…) |
Organization, participation, promotion |
| -ity / -ety | Possibility, infinity, variety |
| -ism | egoism, sadism, criticism |
| -al | Refusal, arrival, approval |
| -ment | Advertisement, improvement, appointment |
| -hood | Neighborhood, brotherhood, childhood |
| -ness | Sadness, madness, shyness |
| -ship | Membership, partnership, ownership |
| -cy | Fluency, accuracy, bureaucracy |
| -dom | Kingdom, freedom, boredom |
| -age | Postage, leakage, package |
Common verb suffixes
| -en | Brighten, loosen, strengthen |
|---|---|
| -ify | Simplify, certify, magnify |
| -ize (American) / -ise (British) | Modernize, specialize, popularize |