Word Building Strategies 

suffixes

Nouns verbs adverb adjective

-ance -ize -ly -able

-ence -ate -ible

-er -fy -less

-or -en -ic

-ist -ical

-ness -ish

-ive

Nouns forming suffixes

Suffix Meaning Examples

-ance State/quality of… Entrance, annoyance, performance, deliverance…

-ence Existence, difference, preference, reference…

-er A person/thing who/which… Player, teacher, fighter, manufacturer, manager…

-or Actor, director, competitor, inspector…

-ation The act of… Explanation, installation, formation…

-tion Action, promotion, direction…

-ist A person who… Typist, specialist, colonialist…

-yst Analyst…

-ness Condition of being… Kindness, greatness, sadness…

-ion Condition of… Dispersion, supervision, action…

-ing Activity Speaking, killing, dancing…

-ment Action/state Measurement, retirement, judgement, entertainment…

-ity State/quality Electricity, equality, activity…

-ian Pertaining to Electrician, musician...

-ism Condition/state Bilingualism, materialism…

-dom Domain/condition of Wisdom, freedom..

-ship Condition/state Championship, partnership, relationship, friendship…

Adverbs

-ly In the manner of… Proportionally, conditionally,

Verbes forming suffixes

-ize To make Commercialize, finalize, magnetize…

-ate Activate, automate…
-fy Quantify…
-en Soften…

Adjective-forming suffixes

-al Have the quality of Survival

-ar Spectacular
-ic Toxic
-ical Typical

-able Capable of being… Dependable

-ible Intelligible, accessible

-ous Like, full of Famous

-ious Ambitious, religious, prestidious

-ful Caracterized by Careful, playful

-less Without Liveless, speechless

-ish Like Foolish

-ing Have the quality of doing… Drilling

-ed
-ive Active

-ly like Friendly, manly…