2. Learning Objectives
To use common suffixes to change the parts of
speech of a word.
To improve the depth of our vocabulary
through the practice of using common suffixes
to change parts of speech.
3. Introduction
Recall that a Part of Speech (PS) is what a word
does in a sentence. There are 4 key PS:
1) Noun – Name
2) Verb – Action
3) Adjective – Describe Noun
4) Adverb – Describe Verb
By adding certain suffixes, we can change a
word's PS from one to another.
4. Transforming Parts of Speech
Let's take the root word, 'success', for example:
1)Success – The games was a great success. (N)
2)Succeeded – He succeeded in organising the
games. (V)
3)Succeding – He is succeeding Tom as captain
of the team. (V)
4)Succession – It was a smooth succession. (N)
5)Successfully – He successfully organised the
games. (Adv)
What are the suffixes that change the PS?
5. The 4 Common Suffixes
Some suffixes appear more commonly to
transform the same word into different parts
of speech than others.
These 4 suffixes are:
1) ed – change to Verbs or Adjectives
2) ing – change to Verbs or Nouns or Adjectives
3) ion – change to Noun
4) ly – change to Adverb
6. Using the 4 Suffixes
When you are able to change the same word
into different parts of speech, you have
improved your vocabulary.
The depth of your vocabulary knowledge has
increased.
The width of your vocabulary knowledge is
through your reading.
With the depth and width increased, your
command of vocabulary improves.
7. Using the 4 Suffixes
Another example is given below:
1) heart – You have a great heart by giving so
generously. (N)
2) heart-stopping – It was a heart-stopping
moment when the winner was being
announced. (Adj)
3) heartening – It was heartening to hear that
father was recovering from his illnesses. (V)
4) heartened – He was heartened to hear about
his father's recovery from his illnesses. (V)
8. Learning Activity
Using 'ed', 'ing', 'tion' or 'ly', change the word
'sense' to different Parts of Speech.
1) _____ danger, the reindeer leapt into the woods.
2) Mother ______ that sister was unhappy and
comforted her.
3) In a fish spa, you will have a tingling ______
when the Garra Rufa fishes bite you.
4) Please behave _____ when you visit your
relatives; remember to greet them.
9. Learning Activity Answers
Using 'ed', 'ing', 'tion' or 'ly', change the word
'sense' to different Parts of Speech.
1) Sensing danger, the reindeer leapt into the woods.
2) Mother sensed that sister was unhappy and
comforted her.
3) In a fish spa, you will have a tingling sensation
when the Garra Rufa fishes bite you.
4) Please behave sensibly when you visit
your relatives; remember to greet them.
10. Discussion
What are the 4 suffixes discussed in this topic?
What effect do they have on a word?
11. In Summary
The 4 common suffixes discussed in this topic
are 'ed', 'ing', 'ion' and 'ly'.
They change a word into different parts of
speech.
ed – change to Verbs or Adjectives
ing – change to Verbs or Nouns or Adjectives
ion – change to Noun
ly – change to Adverb
