Introduction to Suffixes

Welcome to the wonderful world of suffixes! A suffix is a group of letters that we add to the end of a "root word" to change its meaning or the way it is used in a sentence. For example, adding -ly to the adjective sad turns it into the adverb sadly.

In these notes, we will look at some very common suffixes and learn the spelling rules that help us join them to words correctly. Don't worry if it seems like a lot of rules at first—once you hear the "beat" of the words, it becomes much easier!

1. Adding Vowel Suffixes (S38)

A vowel suffix is an ending that starts with a vowel, like -ing, -ed, -er, -est, or -en. When we add these to words with more than one syllable, we have to decide whether to double the last letter.

The "Stress" Rule

The "stress" is the part of the word you say a little louder or with more force. It's like the "beat" of the drum in the word.

  • Double the letter: If the last syllable of the word is stressed (loud), double the final consonant before adding the suffix.
    Example: begin (be-GIN) + -ing = beginning.
    Example: forget (for-GET) + -ing = forgetting.

  • Don't double the letter: If the last syllable is not stressed, just add the suffix normally.
    Example: garden (GAR-den) + -ing = gardening.
    Example: limit (LI-mit) + -ed = limited.

Quick Tip: If you aren't sure where the stress is, try saying the word twice, putting the loudness on different parts. Which one sounds like a real word? GAR-dening or gar-DEN-ing? Since GAR-dening sounds right, we don't double the \(n\)!

2. The Suffix -ation (S42)

The suffix -ation is added to verbs (doing words) to turn them into nouns (naming words). It usually describes a process or a result.

  • Just add it: If the word ends in a consonant, often you just add -ation.
    Example: inform becomes information.
  • Drop the 'e': If the verb ends in \(e\), we usually remove the \(e\) before adding -ation.
    Example: prepare becomes preparation.
    Example: admire becomes admiration.

Key Takeaway: If a word ends in -ation, it is almost always a noun!

3. The Suffix -ly (S43)

The suffix -ly is used to turn adjectives into adverbs. Adverbs tell us how something is happening (e.g., He ran quickly).

The Spelling Rules for -ly:

  1. Most words: Just add -ly.
    Example: sad + -ly = sadly.
  2. Words ending in \(y\): If the word has more than one syllable and ends in \(y\), change the \(y\) to an \(i\) before adding -ly.
    Example: happy becomes happily.
  3. Words ending in 'le': If the adjective ends in a consonant plus le, change the le to ly.
    Example: gentle becomes gently.
    Example: simple becomes simply.
  4. Words ending in 'ic': Usually, you add -ally.
    Example: basic becomes basically. (Except for the word publicly!)

4. The Suffix -ous (S46)

The suffix -ous turns nouns into adjectives. It means "full of" or "having the quality of."

  • General rule: Just add -ous.
    Example: danger + -ous = dangerous.
    Example: poison + -ous = poisonous.
  • Drop the 'e': If the word ends in \(e\), drop it before adding -ous.
    Example: fame becomes famous.
  • The 'ge' exception: If the word ends in ge, keep the \(e\) so the \(g\) stays sounding soft (like a 'j').
    Example: courage becomes courageous.

Did you know? If the "our" sound is in the middle of a word (like humour), it often changes to "or" when we add -ous. So, humour becomes humorous.

5. Suffixes and the Word "fer" (S57)

This is a special rule for words that end in -fer, like refer, prefer, or transfer. The spelling depends on whether the -fer part is still loud when you add the suffix.

  • Double the 'r': If the -fer syllable is still stressed (loud) after the suffix is added, use a double \(r\).
    Example: refer + -ing = referring (The "fer" is loud).
    Example: prefer + -ed = preferred.
  • Single 'r': If the -fer syllable is not stressed anymore, use a single \(r\).
    Example: refer + -ence = reference (The stress moved to the start: REF-er-ence).
    Example: prefer + -ence = preference.

Quick Review & Common Mistakes

Don't forget:

  • Check the beat: Always say the word out loud to find the stress. This tells you whether to double the consonant.
  • The 'y' trap: When adding -ly, remember to change happy to happily.
  • The 'e' rule: Usually, the \(e\) at the end of a word disappears when a vowel suffix arrives (like in fame to famous), unless it's needed to keep a letter sounding soft (like in courageous).

Note: For more on spelling patterns like -shun or -shus, please see the chapter on "Endings that sound like -shun, -zhun, -shus and -shul".