A suffix comes at the end of a word. For example, -ment is added to the verb manage to form the noun management. However, not all combinations are possible. Some words have to be learned as vocabulary items.
Verb
A verb shows action or being.
| Suffix | Example |
-ify |
indentify, clarify, certify |
-ise /-ize (formed from adjectives) |
legalize, centralize, modernize |
-en (formed from adjectives) |
loosen, shorten, harden |
Adjective
An adjective describes a noun or a pronoun.
| Suffix | Example |
| -al (formed from adjectives) | national, regional, entrepreneurial |
| -ic (formed from adjectives) | geographic, photographic, artistic |
| -ive (formed from verbs or nouns) | contributive, exclusive, collaborative |
| -ful (formed from nouns) | beautiful, useful, careful |
| -less (formed from nouns) | powerless, hopeless, fearless |
| -ous (formed from nouns) | outrageous, luxurious, famous |
| -y (formed from nouns) | healthy, wealthy, salty |
| -ly (formed from nouns) | monthly, costly, timely |
| -ible /-able (formed from verbs) | possible, sustainable, integrable |
| -ing (formed from verbs) | utilizing, conducting, demanding |
| -ed (formed from verbs) | adopted, confronted, achieved |
Noun
A noun names a person, animal, place, thing, or idea.
| Suffix | Example |
| -ment (formed from verbs) | development, employment, investment |
| -ion / -tion / -ation / -ition /-sion (formed from verbs) | liberalization, cooperation, motivation |
| -ance / -ence (formed from verbs or adjectives) | preference, acceptance, importance |
| -ty / -ity (formed from adjectives) | capacity, sustainability, integrity |
| -ness (formed from adjectives) | competitiveness, selflessness, freshness |
| -ee (formed from verbs, used for a person who experiences or receives the actions) | employee, franchisee, licensee |
| -ing (formed from verbs) | building, feeling |