Changing the part of speech

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 143 views

Introduction to Suffixes

Suffixes are an essential part of the English language, and understanding them can help you decipher the meanings of words and improve your vocabulary. A suffix is a letter or group of letters that is added to the end of a word to form a new word or to change its meaning. In this article, we will explore the concept of suffixes and identify which word among the given options contains a suffix.

What is a Suffix?

A suffix is a morpheme that is attached to the end of a word to form a new word or to change its meaning. Suffixes can indicate various things, such as tense, mood, voice, or grammatical function. For example, the suffix "-ed" is used to form the past tense of a verb, as in "walked" or "wanted." The suffix "-ing" is used to form the present participle of a verb, as in "walking" or "wanting."

Types of Suffixes

There are several types of suffixes in the English language, including:

Inflectional suffixes: These suffixes are used to form different grammatical forms of a word, such as tense, mood, or voice.
Derivational suffixes: These suffixes are used to form new words by changing the meaning of the base word.
Combining suffixes: These suffixes are used to form new words by combining two or more words.

Examples of Suffixes

Here are some examples of suffixes in action:

-ed: This suffix is used to form the past tense of a verb, as in "walked" or "wanted."
-ing: This suffix is used to form the present participle of a verb, as in "walking" or "wanting."
-ly: This suffix is used to form adverbs, as in "quickly" or "happily."
-ful: This suffix is used to form adjectives, as in "fulfilling" or "hopeful."

Which Word Contains a Suffix?

Now that we have explored the concept of suffixes and provided examples of their use, let's examine the given options to determine which word contains a suffix.

Option A: Reverse

The word "reverse" does not contain a suffix. It is a standalone word that means to turn or change something in the opposite direction.

Option B: Prewrite

The word "prewrite" contains a suffix. The suffix "-write" is a combination of the base word "write" and the prefix "pre-," which means before or prior to. The suffix "-write" is used to form the verb "prewrite," which means to write something before it is needed.

Option C: Happiness

The word "happiness" does not contain a suffix. It is a standalone word that refers to a state of being happy or content.

Option D: Disbelief

The word "disbelief" contains a suffix. The suffix "-belief" is a combination of the base word "believe" and the prefix "dis-," which means not or opposite of. The suffix "-belief" is used to form the noun "disbelief," which refers to a lack of faith or trust.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the word "prewrite" contains a suffix, while the words "reverse," "happiness," and "disbelief" do not. Understanding suffixes is essential for improving your vocabulary and deciphering the meanings of words. By recognizing the different types of suffixes and their uses, you can become a more confident and effective communicator.

Final Thoughts

Suffixes are an integral part of the English language, and understanding them can help you improve your vocabulary and communication skills. By recognizing the different types of suffixes and their uses, you can become a more confident and effective communicator. Remember, suffixes are not just added to the end of words; they can also change the meaning of a word entirely. So, next time you come across a word with a suffix, take a closer look and see how it can help you understand the word's meaning better.

Introduction

Suffixes are an essential part of the English language, and understanding them can help you decipher the meanings of words and improve your vocabulary. In our previous article, we explored the concept of suffixes and identified which word among the given options contains a suffix. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions about suffixes to help you better understand their role in the English language.

Q&A: Suffixes in English Words

Q: What is the difference between a prefix and a suffix?

A: A prefix is a letter or group of letters that is added to the beginning of a word to form a new word or to change its meaning. A suffix, on the other hand, is a letter or group of letters that is added to the end of a word to form a new word or to change its meaning.

Q: What are some common suffixes in English words?

A: Some common suffixes in English words include:

-ed: used to form the past tense of a verb (e.g., "walked")
-ing: used to form the present participle of a verb (e.g., "walking")
-ly: used to form adverbs (e.g., "quickly")
-ful: used to form adjectives (e.g., "fulfilling")
-less: used to form adjectives (e.g., "helpless")
-ment: used to form nouns (e.g., "development")

Q: How do suffixes change the meaning of a word?

A: Suffixes can change the meaning of a word in several ways:

Changing the part of speech: Suffixes can change a word from one part of speech to another. For example, the suffix "-ly" changes the adjective "quick" to the adverb "quickly."
Indicating tense or mood: Suffixes can indicate the tense or mood of a verb. For example, the suffix "-ed" forms the past tense of a verb (e.g., "walked").
Forming new words: Suffixes can be used to form new words by changing the meaning of the base word. For example, the suffix "-ful" forms the adjective "fulfilling" from the base word "fulfill."

Q: Can suffixes be used with any word?

A: No, suffixes cannot be used with any word. Some words may not be able to take a suffix because of their grammatical or phonological properties. For example, the word "go" cannot take the suffix "-ed" because it is an irregular verb.

Q: How can I learn more about suffixes?

A: There are several ways to learn more about suffixes:

Read books and articles: Reading books and articles can help you encounter new words and suffixes in context.
Practice with exercises: Practicing with exercises can help you become more familiar with suffixes and how they are used.
Use online resources: There are many online resources available that can help you learn more about suffixes, including dictionaries, grammar guides, and language learning websites.

Conclusion

In conclusion, suffixes are an essential part of the English language, and understanding them can help you decipher the meanings of words and improve your vocabulary. By recognizing the different types of suffixes and their uses, you can become a more confident and effective communicator. We hope this Q&A guide has been helpful in answering your questions about suffixes.

Final Thoughts

Suffixes are a powerful tool for creating new words and changing the meaning of existing words. By understanding how suffixes work, you can become a more effective communicator and improve your vocabulary. Remember, suffixes are not just added to the end of words; they can also change the meaning of a word entirely. So, next time you come across a word with a suffix, take a closer look and see how it can help you understand the word's meaning better.