Suffixes: Definition, Rules and Examples in Detail

What is a Suffix?

• It is a group of letters placed at the end of a root word. It either adds or changes its meaning. 
• It can show if the word is a noun, a verb, an adjective, or an adverb.
• We use ‘-er’ and ‘- est’ to form the comparative and superlative forms of adjectives and some adverbs.
• Big, bigger, biggest

Verb, Noun, Adjective, and Adverb Suffixes

• A suffix often converts a word into a new part of speech.
• Common verb suffixes are -ed and -ing.
• Common noun suffixes are -ness and -ment.
• Common adjective suffixes are -al and -able.
• Common adverb suffixes are -ly and -entirely.

Example

• Run (a verb) +er —> Runner (a noun)
• Child (a noun) + ish —> Childish (an adjective)
• Baby (a noun) + -ish —> Babyish (an adjective)
• Adore (verb) + able —> Adorable (an adjective)

How is a Suffix Different From a Prefix?

• For prefixes, we add them to the beginning of the base words.
• Example: unfit, impossible
• But in suffixes, it is not that simple. Let us look at some examples.
• Hop + -ing = hopping (the p is doubled)
• Race + -ed = raced (‘he is removed)
• Smile – ing = smiling (‘e’ is removed)
• Leaf + -es = leaves (‘f’ is replaced by ‘v’)

Two Types of Suffixes

Example

Rules for Suffixes

The Rule for Consonant Suffix

• To the base word, add a consonant suffix directly
• Mouth + full —> Mouthful
• Hand + full —> Handful
• When it comes to the suffix ‘-er,’ the spelling changes depending on the root word.
• If the word is small with a short vowel ending in one consonant (hot, fit, sad), then the last word is doubled before -er is added:
• hotter, fitter, sadder

Rules for Vowel Suffixes

• Some guidelines on how to add vowel suffixes.
• Add the vowel suffix, If the base word ends in two consonants.
• Jump+ ing —> Jumping
• Pump+ ing —> Pumping

The “1-1-1 Rule.” 

• If there is 1 syllable, 1 short vowel, and 1 final consonant in the base word, double the final consonant before adding the vowel suffix.

Example

• Win + ‘-ing’ —> Winning
• Run + ‘-ing’ —> Running
• Spin + ‘-ing’ —> Spinning
• Don’t have two ‘E’ in a row. Then drop the E in the base word before adding the vowel suffix.
• Smile + -ed —> Smiled.

Rules for Vowel and Consonant Suffixes

• If the base word ends in a single ‘y’, change the ‘y’ to an ‘i’ before adding the suffix.

(This rule applies to both vowel and consonant suffixes.)

• Silly + ness —> Silliness