A suffix is a letter or group of letters attached to the end of a word that makes a new word. Suffixes play a major role in English, not only in grammar but also in writing and reading comprehension. Suffixes are added to the end of a word, for example, take the forget: You can add the suffix –ful to change it into an adjective forgetful. The new word is most often a different word class from the original word.
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Here are the most Common Suffixes and examples
Noun Suffixes
| Suffix | Meaning | Examples of Nouns |
| -age | a group, relationship, place | baggage, marriage, village |
| -al | the act or process of | refusal, rebuttal, recital |
| -ance/-ence | an action, state, or quality | defence, insistence, resemblance |
| -dom | place or condition | freedom, kingdom, boredom |
| -ee | a person in a specified state or condition | employee, payee, trainee |
| -er/-or/-ist | describe people and job | dancer, manager, capitalist |
| -hood | state or condition of being | brotherhood, childhood, neighborhood |
| -ism | doctrine, belief | communism, narcissism, socialism |
| -ity/-ty | state or condition | brutality, equality, technicality |
| -ment | condition, action | amazement, disappointment, management |
| -ness | state of being | happiness, kindness, usefulness |
| -ship | position held | friendship, membership, ownership |
| -sion/-tion/-xion | state of being | concession, population, complexion |
Adjective Suffixes
| Suffix | Meaning | Examples of Adjectives |
| -able/-ible | capable of | portable, flexible, presentable |
| -al | relating to something | emotional, brutal, financial |
| -ful | full of | helpful, painful, useful |
| -ic/-ical | relating to a particular thing | classic, domestic, musical |
| -ish | having the quality of | British, childish, selfish |
| -ive | having a particular quality | creative, descriptive, decisive |
| -less | without something | homeless, hopeless, useless |
| -ly | in a particular way | slowly, quickly, daily |
| -ious/-ous | used in order to make adjectives from nouns | cautious, famous, nutritious |
| -y | characterized by | rainy, hasty, curly |
Verb Suffixes
| Suffix | Meaning | Examples of Verbs |
| -ate | become | complicate, irritate, regulate |
| -en | become | harden, awaken, strengthen |
| -ify | to affect in a particular way | beautify, clarify, purify |
| -ise/-ize* | become | economise, realise, industrialize |
-ise is most common in British English; -ize is most common in American English
Adverb Suffixes
| Suffix | Meaning | Examples of Adverbs |
| -ly | in a particular way | calmly, easily, slowly |
| -ward(s) | towards | downwards, homeward(s), upwards |
| -wise | manner | clockwise, likewise, edgewise |