ENGLISH SUFFIXES AND COMBINING FORMS

ENGLISH SUFFIXES & COMBINING FORMS
Sample Usage	Suffix		Meaning / Effect
enjoyable; lovable; suitable	-able		forms adjectives from verbs with sense of "capable or susceptible of being"
annual; historical	-al	(1)	forms adjectives with sense "of the kind of, pertaining to, having the form or character"
refusal; denial; arrival	-al	(2)	forms nouns of action from verbs
appearance; clearance	-ance		forms nouns from verbs with sense "characterized by or serving in the capacity of "
contestant; servant	-ant	(1)	forms nouns with a sense of being someone
lubricant; deodorant	-ant	(2)	forms nouns with a sense of being something
distant; dormant; pleasant	-ant	(3)	forms adjectives with a sense of doing or being something
burglar; scholar	-ar	(1)	forms various nouns including occupations
circular; singular	-ar	(2)	forms adjectives with sense "of the kind of, pertaining to, having the form or character"
populate(v); consulate(n); elaborate(adj)	-ate		forms verbs, nouns & adjectives with various meanings
once; twice; thrice	-ce		forms numeric terms indicating a multiplying effect
delicacy; piracy	-cy		forms abstract nouns from adjectives
counted; worked	-ed	(1)	forms past tense and past participle of verbs
winged; bearded	-ed	(2)	forms adjectives from nouns indicating attributes
wooden	-en	(1)	forms adjectives from nouns indicating attributes
broken; rotten	-en	(2)	forms adjectives from verbs indicating attributes
children; oxen	-en	(3)	forms plurals for some nouns
abstinence; difference	-ence		a noun suffix equivalent to "-ance", corresponding to the suffix "-ent" in adjectives
different; absorbent	-ent	(1)	forms adjectives with a sense of doing or being something
deterrent; adherent	-ent	(2)	forms nouns with a sense of being something
older; faster	-er		forms adverbs & adjectives of comparison
fishery; perfumery; shrubbery	-ery		forms abstract nouns from other nouns
stewardess; actress; waitress	-ess		forms feminine nouns
oldest; hottest; sexiest	-est		forms superlatives
doubtful; peaceful; beautiful	-ful	(1)	forms adjectives with a sense of "characterized by"
cupful; spoonful	-ful	(2)	forms nouns with a sense of "fullness"
beautify; simplify	-fy		forms verbs with a sense of "to make, to become, cause to be"
neighborhood; brotherhood; falsehood	-hood	(1)	forms nouns of things with sense of "character, nature, condition, etc."
priesthood; womanhood	-hood	(2)	forms nouns of persons of a class or character
childhood; adulthood; boyhood	-hood	(3)	forms nouns indicating a time period in life
credible; horrible; contemptible	-ible		forms adjectives (equivalent to "-able" suffix)
poetic; scientific; artistic	-ic		forms adjectives with sense of "aptitude, characteristic of, in the style of "
electrical; historical	-ical		forms adj similar to "-ic" suffix, with sense of "having ability or characteristic of " or "in the style of "
docile; volatile	-ile		forms adjectives with sense of capability or characteristic
smiling; crying	-ing	(1)	forms present participle verbs that may be used as adjectives
building; sewing	-ing	(2)	forms nouns from verbs expressing the action of the verb or its result, product, etc.
contrition; suspicion; creation	-ion		forms nouns denoting condition, process, action, etc.
yellowish; childish, British	-ish		forms adjectives with sense of "somewhat, rather so, characteristic of"
consumerism; alcoholism	-ism		forms nouns denoting action or practice, state or condition
dentist; conformist; conservationist	-ist		forms nouns that denote a person that is concerned with something or holds certain principles
capability; diversity; disability	-ity		forms abstract nouns expressing ability, state or condition
active; corrective; restive	-ive		forms adjectives & nouns expressing tendency, disposition, function, condition, etc.
customize; fantasize	-ize		forms verbs with a sense to make, convert into, subject to; give a special character or form
booklet; droplet; eyelet	-let		forms nouns with a sense of smallness or triviality
duckling; hatchling; underling	-ling		forms nouns with a sense of smallness or being diminutive
casually; carefully; gladly; hourly	-ly		forms adverbs with sense of "how done or when done"
agreement; judgment; ailment	-ment		forms nouns denoting an action, condition, product, result, etc.
kindness; correctness	-ness		forms abstract nouns denoting quality, state or condition
actor; creditor; juror	-or	(1)	forms nouns denoting a person who does something or who has some particular function
error; pallor; squalor	-or	(2)	forms nouns denoting action, state or condition, quality or property
dangerous; glorious	-ous		forms adjectives with a sense of having a certain quality
bravery; jewelry	-ry		forms abstract nouns from other nouns & adjectives
friendship; censorship	-ship		forms nouns denoting condition, character, office, skill, etc.
decision; invasion	-sion		forms nouns denoting condition, process, action, etc.
birth; death	-th	(1)	forms nouns of action
length; depth; width	-th	(2)	forms abstract nouns denoting quality or condition
fourth; sixth	-th	(3)	forms ordinal numbers
alteration; location	-tion		forms abstract nouns
loyalty; purity	-ty	(1)	forms adjectives denoting quality, state, condition, etc
twenty; sixty	-ty	(2)	forms numerals denoting multiples of ten
departure; failure	-ure		forms abstract nouns denoting action, result, agent, instrument or apparatus
cloudy; dreamy; juicy	-y		forms adjectives with sense of "characterized by, inclination, condition"
Forming Plurals with "s"
books  {book+s}	-s		forms plural nouns
ashes  {ash+es}	-es		forms plural nouns
armies  {arm(y)+ies}	-ies		forms plural nouns
calves  {cal(f)+ves}	-ves		forms plural nouns
Forming 3rd Person Singular Verbs with "s"
makes; creates	-s		forms 3rd person singular verbs
touches; finishes	-es		forms 3rd person singular verbs
defies; cries	-ies		forms 3rd person singular verbs