Page 7 - SUPPLEMENTARY GRADE 12 UNIT 3
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2. Suffixes
Derivational suffixes are used to make (or derive) new words. In particular, they are
used to change a word from one grammatical class to another.
In some cases, the suffix doesn't change the part of speech, but it may add significantly
to the meaning and these changes will affect the literal meaning
In this supplement, the suffixes are classified into 3 groups, they are
a. Noun Suffixes to create nouns
b. Verb Suffixes to create verbs
c. Adjective Suffixes to create adjectives
Let’s discuss more.
a. Noun Suffixes
Noun-Forming Suffixes
Suffix form Suffix Meanings Example Literal meaning
General
-ic topic 'that which pertains to a place'
-ment 'a thing' segment 'a thing which is cut'
-s pathos 'the feeling'
-um 'a substance' album 'a white thing'
'one that is related to' 'the properties of something
present from birth'
-ure 'that which pertains to' nature
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