Suffixes that Change Part of Speech

Suffixes that Change Part of Speech


Some suffixes are added to words to change their part of speech.
The table below lists the most common of those suffixes, the parts
of speech they create, and an example of each.
Suffix Function Example
-ly turns adjectives into adverbs slow ➞ slowly
-ify turns adjectives into verbs solid ➞ solidify
-ate turns adjectives into verbs complex ➞ complicate
-en turns adjectives into verbs soft ➞ soften
-ize turns nouns into verbs pressure ➞ pressurize
-ous turns nouns into adjectives prestige ➞ prestigious
-ive turns verbs into adjectives select ➞ selective
-tion turns verbs into nouns complicate ➞ complication
-ment turns verbs into nouns embarrass ➞ embarrassment
-ence/-ance turns verbs into nouns attend ➞ attendance
-ness turns adjectives into nouns shy ➞ shyness