Suffixes are similar to prefixes. However, they are different in that you add them to the end of a word in order to give it a different meaning.[1]https://www.thoughtco.com/common-suffixes-in-english-1692725
The Most Common English Suffixes
The 4 most common English suffixes are: -ate, -en, -(i)fy, and -ise.[2]http://www.uefap.com/vocab/build/building.htm
-ate
This suffix means cause to be.
For example:
- differentiate
- duplicate
- fabricate
- liquidate
- pollinate
-en
This suffix means cause to be.
For example:
- awaken
- fasten
- moisten
- shorten
-(i)fy
This suffix means cause to be.
For example:
- classify
- exemplify
- justify
- simplify
-ise
This suffix means cause to be.
For example:
- characterise
- specialise
- stabilise
- symbolise
- visualise
Some Common Suffixes
There are a lost of suffixes in English.
Below are some of the most common. If you memorize these suffixes, it can help you identify and understand words that you might have never seen before.
| Suffix | Meaning | Example |
| -able | capable of being | edible |
| -acy | state or quality | privacy |
| -al | act or process of | refusal |
| -al | pertaining to | regional |
| -ance | state or quality of | maintenance |
| -ate | become | regulate |
| -dom | place or state of being | freedom |
| -en | become | enlighten |
| -esque | reminiscent of | picturesque |
| -ful | notable for | fanciful |
| -ic | pertaining to | musical |
| -ify | make or become | terrify |
| -ious | characterized by | nutritious |
| -ish | having the quality of | childish |
| -ism | doctrine, belief | communism |
| -ist | one who | chemist |
| -ity | quality of | inactivity |
| -ive | have the nature of | creative |
| -ize | become | civilize |
| -less | without | endless |
| -ment | condition of | argument |
| -ness | state of being | heaviness |
| -ship | position held | ownership |
| -sion | state of being | concession |
| -y | characterized by | sleazy |
References