2. Suffixes:

Suffixes are syllables which are added to the ends of words and which change the functions of the words. Many adjectives related to verbs or nouns have a characteristic ending (or suffix). For example, when we add the suffix –ful to wonder (a noun), the new word is an adjective, wonderful. Here some other examples:

angel (noun) + -ic = angelic (adjective)

friend (noun) + ship = friendship ( noun)

steril (adjective) + ize = sterilize (verb)

soft ( adjective) + ly = softly (adverb)

Exercise 2.1. Study four adjectives suffixes below and the examples. In the list which follows, change each word in column A to an adjective by adding one of these suffixes and write the new word in column B. The first two have been done to you. Notice that you may have to change, drop, or add letters before adding the suffix to some words.

Suffix	From	Meaning	Example
-ful	Old English	full of	wonderful, merciful
-less	Old English	without	hopeless, senseless
-able	Latin	capable of being	readable, capable
-ese	Latin	pertaining to	Japanese, Siamese

A B	A B
1. Portugal – Portuguese	11. child –
2. misery –	12. consider –
3. awe –	13. count –
4. move –	14. Congo –
5. China –	15. Burma –
6. remark –	16. master –
7. Canton –	17. speech –
8. service –	18. wish –
9. penny –	19. end –
10. grate –	20. bounty –

Exercise 2.2. The four suffixes below when added to words form nouns. Study the suffixes and the examples carefully. In the list which follows, change each word in column A to a noun by adding one of these suffixes and write the new word in column B. You may have to change, drop, or add letters in some cases.

Suffix	From	Meaning	Example
-er	Old English	one who	maker, hunter
-hood	Old English	state, condition	manhood, likelihood
-ness	Old English	state, condition	greatness, happiness
-ship	Old English	condition, skill	friendship, leadership

A B	A B
1. brother – brotherhood	11. trumpet –
2. boy –	12. woman –
3. swim –	13. together –
4. member –	14. conscious –
5. sick –	15. neighbour –
6. farm –	16. empty –
7. write –	17. false –
8. do –	18. happy –
9. partner –	19. sportsman –
10. court –	20. companion –

Exercise 2.3. Give the nouns which describe people who do things or who come from places. Use these noun endings: -an, -ant, -ar, -er,-ian, -ist, -or. Some are used more than once.

1. He acts very well. He’s a fine actor.

2. Don’t beg. You’re not a _____.

3. I can’t play the piano. I’m not a _____.

4. She drives well. She’ a good _____.

5. I’m from Berlin. I’m a _____.

6. She’s from Athens. She’ an _____.

7. Manuel assists me. He’s my _____.

8. She always tells lies. She’s such a _____.

9. Anna is studying history. She’s a fine _____.

10. Anna is studying history. She’s a fine _____.