Introduction to Suffixes
English has two broad categories of suffixes:
Inflectional suffixes are grammatically important, but do not change the part of speech (noun, verb, adjective, etc.) of the word, nor do they alter its meaning.
Derivational suffixes are used to form a word in a different part of speech or to create a word within the same part of speech with a subtly different meaning. An important aspect of some derivational suffixes is their ability to control which syllable of a word receives the primary stress.
Inflectional suffixes
Two of the most important uses of inflectional suffixes are in creating a plural or gerund of a noun or in conjugating a verb.
| Inflectional suffixes: nouns |
| -s | plural | kids, horses, tables |
| -ing | gerund | swimming, drawing, talking |
| Inflectional suffixes: verbs |
| -s | 3rd person singular | laughs, types, kisses |
| -ed | simple past & past participle | laughed, typed, kissed |
| -ing | progressive form | laughing, typing, kissing |
Derivational suffixes
Derivational suffixes are used to create a new word (with its own distinct meaning) based on another word within English. This allows the root word to be modified for use in multiple parts of speech, and with subtle changes in meaning even when it remains in its original part of speech.
Stress-controlling and stress-neutral derivational suffixes
In addition to the capacity of derivational suffixes to change word meaning, some suffixes, called stress-controlling suffixes also serve the important role of affecting which syllable of a word receives the primary stress. Suffixes that do not control syllable stress patterns are called stress-neutral.
Since stress-controlling suffix patterns can be difficult to recognize, however, they are often difficult for non-native speakers to naturally acquire. The stress patterns only reveal themselves when it is understood that syllables must be counted in relation to the syllable on which the suffix occurs.
For instance, -tion is one of the most frequently used stress-controlling suffixes. In words that include the -tion suffix, the primary stress usually falls one syllable previous to the -tion, no matter how many total syllables the word contains.
The following are examples of common English suffixes that control stress in American English.
| Stress-controlling derivational suffix examples |
| -eer | stressed on the suffix | forms nouns | engineer, pioneer, volunteer |
-ic, -ical,
-ically | stressed one syllable previous to -ic | forms nouns and adjectives | heroic, ethical, specifically |
| -tion, -sion | stressed one syllable previous to -tion or -sion | forms nouns | mention, prescription, evolution |
| -itious | stressed on first syllable of suffix | forms adjectives | ambitious, nutritious, repetitious |
| -ate | stressed two syllables previous to -ate | forms nouns, verbs, and adjectives | decorate, affectionate, delicate |
| -ity | stressed on the third-from-last sylable | forms nouns | quality, majority, responsibility |
The following are examples of common English suffixes that do not control stress in American English.
| Stress-neutral derivational suffix examples |
| -ly | forms adverbs | hourly, quickly, sadly |
| -ful | forms adjectives | wonderful, colorful, meaningful |
| -ness | forms nouns | kindness, sadness, courageousness |
| -ment | forms nouns | enjoyment, accomplishment, arrangement |
| -less | forms adjective and adverbs | flavorless, regardless, merciless |
Pronuncian Lessons
Click here to join Pronuncian for full online access to all exercises and quizzes for this lesson.
Top-Ranked Lessons