Prefix and suffix

Prefix

A syllable or a word part added to the beginning of the word is called as prefix. They never change the
part of speech. A prefix has a meaning, but it is not a word. Adding a prefix to a word does not usually
change the spelling.

Examples of prefix: dis, un, re, co, bi, be pre, non, im, dis, mis, sub, super, anti, over

Suffix

A suffix is a word part that is placed at the end of a base word. A suffix often transforms a word into a
new part of speech.

Suffixes that create a verb form: ate, ed, en, ing, ise, ize, yze

Vowel Suffixes vs. Consonant Suffixes

Distinguish between the two broad categories: vowel suffixes (those that begin with a vowel letter) and consonant
suffixes (those that begin with a consonant letter).

Vowel Suffixes -able, -ate, -ed, -er, -est, -ible, -ic, -ion, -ify, -ize, -ing, -ous, -y

Consonant Suffixes -dom, -ful, -less, -ly, -ment, -ness, -ry, -s, -ship, -sion, -tion, -ward, -wise

Spelling Conventions or Primary Rules with Suffixes

Rule Root +suffix = Final word

Add a consonant suffix directly to the base word. Mouth + fu = mouthful, Pitch + er = Pitcher, Teach + er =
teacher

If the base word ends in two consonants, just add the Jump + ing = jumping
vowel suffix.

Doubling Consonants with Vowel Suffixes bar + -ed ̩=̩ barred, bar + -ing = barring, dot + -ed = dotted, dot
When a single-syllable word ends in a vowel + a + -ing = dotting, fat + -en = fatten, fat + -er = fatter, fat + -est =
consonant, we almost always double the consonant fattest, fat + -y = fatty, hop + -ed = hopped, hop + -er =
when a vowel suffix is attached. If we don’t, it could end hopper, hop + -ing = hopping, mad + -en = madden, mad = -
up looking as though the root word had a silent E that’s er = madder, mad + -est = maddest, rob + -ed = robbed, rob+ -
been omitted. er = robber, rob + -ing = robbing, slim + -ed = slimmed, slim +
-er = slimmer, slim + -ing = slimming, hop + -y = hoppy

If the base word has 1 syllable, 1 short vowel, and 1 final Win + ing = winning, Run + er = runner, Fat + er = fatter, Shop
consonant, double the final consonant before adding the
vowel suffix. Or when a word ends in a short vowel
+ ed = shopped, Swim + ing = swimming, Flip + er = flipper
sound and a single consonant, you double the last letter.

Words of more than 1 syllable ending in 1 vowel + 1

occur + -ed = occurred, begin + -ing = beginning, commit + -ed
consonant when the stress is on the last syllable double
= committed, forget + -able = forgettable
up the last or final letter.

Doubling the consonant: When a word has more than Cancel + -ed = cancelled, Control + -ed = controlled, propel + -
one syllable and ends with the letter “l” you will double er = propeller, fulfil + -ment = fulfilment, Compel + -ing =
the “l” when adding the Vowel suffix (Words of more compelling
than 1 syllable ending in 1 vowel + L always double up
the L before a vowel suffix)

Dropping silent E with vowel suffixes: If the base word bake + -ed = baked, bake + -er =baker, bake + -ing =baking,
ends in a Silent E, drop the E before adding the vowel communicate + -ed = communicated, communicate + -ing =
suffix. communicating, communicate + -ion = communication,
When a silent E appears at the end of a word, its most dispose + -able = disposable, dispose + -al = disposal, dispose
common purpose is to change the pronunciation of + -ing = disposing, ice + -ed = iced, ice + -ing = icing, ice + -y =
vowels (as well as the consonants C or G) within the icy, store + -age = storage, store + -ed = stored, store + -ing =
word. When a vowel suffix is attached to a word with a storing, use + -age = usage, use + -ed = used, use + -er = user,
silent E, it often (though not always) results in E being use + -ing = using, fine + -ed = fined, fine + -est =finest, fine + -
omitted. ing = fining, fame + -ed = famed, fame + -ous = famous

Keeping silent E with consonant suffixes

bare + -ly = barely, bare + -ness = bareness, bare + -s = bares,
 keep the ‘e’ with consonant suffixes, unlike care + -full ̩= careful, care + -less = careless, care + -s = cares,
vowel suffixes, when a consonant suffix is complete + -ly = completely, complete + -ness =
attached to a word ending in a silent E, we completeness, complete + -s = completes, home + -less =
nearly always keep the E in the word. homeless, home + -ly = homely, home + -ward = homeward,
like + -ly = likely, like + -ness= likeness, like + -wise= likewise,
 words ending in ‘ce’ or ‘ge’ keep the ‘e’ before -
peace + -full = peaceful, peace + -less = peaceless, notice +
ous and able
able = noticeable service + able = serviceable, state + -hood
 The letter E in the final GE and DGE is retained to = statehood, state + -less = stateless, state + -ly = stately,
keep the pronunciation of G, as [j] before wake + -full = wakeful, wake + -less = wakeless, wake + -s =
suffixes beginning with A or O. wakes, Accurate + -ly = Accurately, Definite + -ly = Definitely,
love + -ly = Lovely, agree + -ing = Agreeing, eye + -ing =
 Final CE before A, O The letter E in the final CE is
eyeing, see + -ing = seeing, hope + -full = Hopeful, use + -full =
retained to keep the pronunciation of C as [s]
useful, waste -full = wasteful, manage + able = manageable,
before suffixes beginning with A or O.
knowledge + able = knowledgeable; judge + able = judgeable;
 Keep the ‘e’ when the word ends in ee or ye abridge + able = abridgeable, courage + ous = courageous,
advantage + ous = advantageous
 Keep the ‘e’ before ly

ɪf the word ends in a consonant + y, Change the y to i Silly + ness= silliness, Happy + ness= happiness, Beauty + ful =
before adding vowel or consonant suffix (except ing). beautiful, Army + s= Armies, Carry + ed = Carried, Rely + able
= Reliable, Angry + ily = Angrily, Apply →appliance, applied,
applies, Colony →colonial, colonies, colonize, Envy
 →enviable, envied, envious, Happy →happier, happiest,
Luxury →luxuriant, luxuriate, luxurious, marry →marriage,
married, marries, Weary →weariful, weariness, wearisome,
Fly + -ies= Flies, Lonely + -ness = Loneliness, Baby + -s =
Babies, Duty + -ful = dutiful, deny + -ed = Denied, Beauty + -
ful = Beautiful, beauty→ beautify, beautiful, contrary
→contrarily, contrariness, contrariwise, Eery →eerily,
eeriness, Happy→ happily, happiness, Lively→ likelihood,
likeliness, Merry →merrily, merriment, merriness, Pity
→pitiable, pities, Pity →pitiful, pitiless, Tidy →tidied, tidier,
tidiest, trustworthy →trustworthily, trustworthiness, Worry
→worried, worrier, worries

if the word ends in a vowel + y, just add the consonant employ + -er ̩ = Employer, buy + -er = buyer, joy + -full =
suffix. Joyful, enjoy + -ing = enjoying

Doubling the consonant when the final syllable is

emphasized.

When a multi-syllable word is vocally stressed on the

begin -> beginner, beginning, Bick -> bickered, bickering,
final syllable, we almost always double the final
forget -> forgettable, forgetting, for -> forfeited, forfeiting,
consonant before a vowel suffix, when the vocal stress is
incur -> incurable, incurred, incurring, transmit ->
on a different syllable, we generally don’t double the
transmittable, transmitted, transmitting, travel -> travelled,
suffix.
traveller, travelling, omit -> omitted, omitting,
Words of more than 1 syllable ending in 1 vowel + 1
consonant when the stress is on the last syllable double
up the last letter.

Adding K to verbs ending in C

Most verbs do not end in a C after a vowel, they usually Frolic -> frolicked, frolicker, frolicking, Mimic -> Mimicked,
have a K at the end to make the /k/ sound more mimicker, mimicking, Panic-> Panicked, panicking, Picnic ->
definitive. A few do have a final C, though, so to avoid a Picnicked, picnicker, picnicking, Traffic-> Trafficked, trafficker,
spelling that might indicate a “soft C” sound (/s/), we trafficking
add a K before suffixes beginning with E, I, or Y.

Adding K to verbs ending in C frolic -> Frolics, Frolicsome, mimic -> Mimical, mimicry,
Note that we don’t do this when we attach consonant mimics, panic -> Panics, picnic -> Picnics, traffic -> Trafficable,
suffixes or vowel suffixes that begin with A traffics

“-ic” + “-ly” = “-ically” ː When adding the suffix “-ly” to academic + -ly -→ academically, acoustic + -ly -→ acoustically,
words ending in “-ic” to form adverbs, we almost always Basic + -ly -→ basically, democratic + -ly -→ democratically,
change “-ic” to “ical” (even with words that don’t have Drastic + -ly -→ drastically, enthusiastic + -ly -→
an “-ical” variant), thus yielding the ending “-ically.” enthusiastically Genetic + -ly -→ genetically, historic + -ly -→
historically, Ironic + -ly -→ ironically, majestic + -ly -→
majestically, Organic + -ly -→ organically, poetic + -ly -→
 poetically, Realistic + -ly -→ realistically, specific + -ly -→
specifically, Tragic + -ly -→ tragically

Change IE to Y before "-ing”

Very rarely, a verb will end in “-ie.” When this happens, Boogie -→ Boogied, boogies, boogying, Die -→ Died, dies,
we have to change the vowel digraph to Y so that we can Dying, Lie -→ Lied, lies, Lying, tie -→ Tied, ties, Tying.
attach the present participle suffix “-ing

Don’t change verbs ending in a vowel

cameo -→ Cameoed, cameoing, conga -→ Congaed,
When a verb ends in a vowel other than Y or E, we don’t Congaing, disco -→ Discoed, Discoing, echo -→ Echoed,
make any changes to the root spelling when adding a Echoing, halo -→ Haloed, Haloing, taxi→ -→ taxied, Taxiing
vowel suffix.

Suffix added to a verb (V), noun (N) or adjective (A)   noun

Noun suffixes ANCE, ENCE, ANCY, ANCY, DOM, HOOD, ION (TION), ISM, NESS, MENT, SHIP, Y denote state or act of
what is indicated by the root of the word: absence, freedom, illness, citizenship, accusation, movement, delivery.

Noun suffixes ER, OR, EER, IST often denote a person performing an action or a person's profession: buyer, professor,
engineer, pianist.

Abstract nouns name ideas, feelings, and characteristics. These are things that cannot be physically touched.

Examples: Monday, trip, happiness, bravery, freedom, name, date, time, thought

State

Noun -Suffix Meaning Example Added to

Form Noun

-dom the condition or state of, kingdom, Dukedom, stardom, martyrdom, boredom, [NOUNS]
the rank of or the are ruled freedom [VERBS]
by, the group of

-hood the state or quality of, parenthood, childhood, neighbourhood, [NOUNS]

group of people of the type brotherhood, priesthood [ADJECTIVES]
mentioned, Abstract Noun

-ship the status or office of, skill ownership, friendship, citizenship, professorship, [ADJECTIVES]
or ability as, the group of, musicianship, membership, internship, fellowship, [NOUNS]
Abstract Noun

QUALITIES
-ity condition or quality of, Stupidity, activity, nativity, reality, complexity, [ADJECTIVES]
Abstract Noun creativity, security, equality, curiosity, formality,
flexibility, ability

–ment the action or result of, state Measurement, abridgment, banishment, [VERBS]
 or condition of, accomplishment, retirement, development,
arrangement, embarrassment, excitement,
amazement, disappointment, parliament, argument,
endorsement, punishment

–ness the state or quality of, Happiness, bitterness, goodness, readiness, [ADJECTIVES]
Abstract Noun forgetfulness, darkness, kindheartedness, heaviness,
sadness, rudeness, testiness, illness, loneliness,
madness, kindness, business

-ancy the state or quality of Expectancy [VERBS]

–ance the action or state of appearance, significance, resistance, elegance, [ADJECTIVES],

importance, ignorance, relevance, allowance, [VERBS]
performance, reliance

-cy the state or quality of, the infancy, privacy, accuracy [ADJECTIVES],
status or position of [NOUNS]

-ence the action or state of Difference, dependence, subsistence, confidence, [VERBS]

insistence, maintenance, eminence, assurance

-th the action or process of long-> length, true-> truth, deep-> depth, wide- [ADJECTIVES],
>width, dead->death, strong->strength, grow- [VERBS]
>growth, warm->warmth, strength, overgrowth

ACTIVITIES or PROCESSES (Denote abstract notions or concepts, feelings and emotions.)

–age the action or result of, the Wreckage, vintage, baggage, cartage, damage, [NOUNS]
state of condition of, a set baggage, mileage, postage, anchorage, breakage,
[VERBS]
or group of, an amount of, marriage, shrinkage
the cost of, a place where

-al act or process of, a process refusal, arrival, burial, deferral, recital, rebuttal, [VERBS]
or state of denial, survival, arrival, burial

–ery A type or place of work, the Bakery, machinery, scenery, bravery, greenery, [ADJECTIVES]
group or class of something, rivalry, cookery, archery, delivery [NOUNS]
the state or character of, [VERBS]
the art or practice of, a
place where something is
made, grows, lives, etc.

-ing an activity, an act or drawing, playing, suffering, driving, meaning, [VERBS]

process, a product or result, swimming
[NOUNS]
The quality of material,

-ion (also the action or state of, A Decoration, suggestion, completion, excision, [VERBS]
process, state, or result, dictation, hesitation, competition, confession,
rebellion, Demonstration, menstruation,
-ation, registration, Alteration, complication, reduction,
population, complexion, reduction, alteration,
-ition,
admission, concession, transition, abbreviation,
-sion, expression

-tion,

-xion)

–ism A belief or condition, the Judaism, organism, alcoholism, parallelism. [ADJECTIVES],

action or result of, the state Americanism, colloquialism, heroism, Buddhism, [NOUNS]
or quality of, the teaching, racism, alcoholism, criticism, journalism, Marxism,
system or movement of, communism, narcissism, scepticism
unfair treatment or hatred
for the reason mentioned, a
feature of language of the
type mentioned, a medical
condition or disease, an act,
theory, belief or doctrine,
activity or ideology

-ure The action, process or result failure, closure, departure, pleasure [VERBS]
of

-y the action or process of Inquiry [VERBS]

OCCUPATIONS

-ant Nouns describing Assistant, accountant, consultant, contestant, [VERBS]

professions or activities inhabitant, dependant, participant

–ee Nouns describing Referee, employee, payee, conferee, refugee, [ADJECTIVES]

professions or activities, A absentee, trainee, attendee, referee, grantee [VERBS]
person affected by an
action, A person described
as or concerned with,
Person who receives or
experienced the action

-eer Nouns describing auctioneer, mountaineer [NOUNS]

professions or activities,

-ent Nouns describing Deterrent, correspondent, respondent [VERBS]

professions or activities

-er A person or thing that, A Teacher, geographer, foreigner, doctor, guarantor, [ADJECTIVES]
person or thing that has the foreigner, lexicographer, Dubliner, lover, winner, [NOUNS]
thing or quality mentioned. computer, Protester, runner, publisher, driver [VERBS]
A person concerned with, A
 person belonging to,
someone or something
participating in an action

-ese from a place, a person who Portuguese, Viennese, journalese, officialese [NOUNS]
lives in a country or city, the
style or language of

–ess female, Makes a feminine Waitress, actress, hostess, hostess, waitress, lioness, [NOUNS]
form tigress, goddess

-ette Female, small usherette, suffragette, kitchenette [NOUNS]

-ian Nouns describing Bostonian, Brazilian, Shakespearian, mathematician, [NOUNS]

professions or activities, physician, historian, comedian, politician
from, typical of, a specialist
in, a person who does
something as a job or hobby

–ist Nouns describing Florist, chemist, dramatist, economist, Atheist, [NOUNS]

professions or activities , a dentist, violinist, guitarist, plagiarist
[Verb]
person who believes or
practises something, [Adjective]
member of a profession or
business activity; a person
who uses a thing, one who
performs, plays, or
operates, People involves in
politics, believes and
ideology or person play
musical instrument

Or Nouns describing protector, narrator, actor, sailor, conductor, [VERBS]

professions or activities, , a commentator
person or thing that does
something as job

NEOCLASSICAL

-cide The act of killing, a person suicide, genocide, regicide

or thing that kills

-ery behavioural condition or Bravery, scenery, gallery

location
Nursery

-acy state or quality accuracy, conspiracy, intimacy, privacy, fallacy,

delicacy,
-logy Study of technology, pathology

-ity, -ty Quality of, condition, degree flexibility, sensitivity, inactivity, veracity, parity,
serenity, cruelty, safety

[ADJECTIVES] [NOUNS] -> VERBS

Verb suffixes ATE, EN, IZE, FY mean "to perform the act of, to make": confiscate, lengthen, modernize, clarify. The
adverbial suffix LY indicates that the action is performed in a certain manner: slowly, seriously, periodically.

Key Concepts

The suffixes -ize, -ise, and -yze are used in hundreds of verbs. As verb suffixes, they mean “to make” or “to become.”

Try to visualize these words as you study them.

1. The suffix -ize is the most commonly used of the three. It is often added when the word root ends in a consonant,
as in characterize and familiarize. If the word root ends in a vowel, a consonant may be added before the suffix -ize, as
in dramatize.

2. If the word root ends in y, the y may be deleted before adding -ize, as in monopolize and philosophize.

3. The suffix -ize can be used with word roots that cannot stand alone, as in oxidize and pulverize.

4. The suffix -ise often follows the letters c, m, v, or pr, as in advice. It is also used in some common business words,
such as merchandise.

5. The suffix -yze is used rarely. Commit words such as analyze to memory.

Suffix -Verb Meaning Example converted

-ate Become, to give the thing or regulate, eradicate, enunciate, repudiate, [ADJECTIVES]
quality mentioned activate, hyphenate, orchestrate [NOUNS]

-en To make or become enlighten, awaken, strengthen, blacken, [ADJECTIVES]

sadden, deafen, harden, sweeten, ripen

-ify, -fy To make or become terrify, satisfy, rectify, exemplify, solidify, [ADJECTIVES]
simplify, purify, beautify, terrify [NOUNS]

-ize, -ise* To become, make or make like, to civilize, humanize, socialize, valorize, [ADJECTIVES]
speak, think, act, treat, etc. in the privatise, fossilize, modernise, generalize, [NOUNS]
way mentioned, to criticize, theorise, pasteurize, hospitalise

place in
 Suffix added to verbs or nouns   adjective

 Adjectives can also be formed from other adjectives, especially by the negative prefixes (un-, in- and non-).

Adjectival suffixes ABLE, IBLE, ARY, ORY, FUL, IC, ISH, IVE, LESS, OUS denote features, qualities or properties of
someone or something: preferable, invisible, legendary, obligatory, respectful, automatic, reddish, responsive,
aimless, nervous.

Suffix - Meaning Example Added to form

Adjective Adjective

-able, -ible capable of being, that can or must edible, presentable, abominable, [NOUNS]
be (done), having the quality of credible, reasonable, taxable;
[VERBS]
fashionable, comfortable, changeable,
eatable, washable, horrible, sensible,
accessible, divisible

-ed having (the characteristics of), that talented, bearded, diseased, interested, [NOUNS]
suffers or receives some kind of bored, excited, embarrassed
[VERBS]
feeling or effect

-ing that does or produces some kind of interesting, embarrassing, boring, [NOUNS]
feeling or effect amazing
[VERBS]

-ful notable for, full of, having the fanciful, resentful, woeful, doubtful, [NOUNS]
qualities of, tending to sorrowful, successful, peaceful, helpful,
[VERBS]
forgetful

homeless, hopeless, useless, treeless, [NOUNS]

hairless, meaningless, hopeless,
-less without, not doing, not affected by
harmless, endless, ageless, lawless,
effortless

-al pertaining to, connected with regional, grammatical, emotional, [NOUNS]

coastal, magical, verbal, musical,
national, accidental, environmental

-ic, -ical pertaining to, connected with, that musical, mythic, domestic, chiastic, [NOUNS] [VERBS]
performs the action mentioned scenic, economic, Arabic, horrific,
specific, classic, Islamic, poetic

-en made of, looking like wooden, golden, broken [NOUNS]

-ent that is or does something different, competent [VERBS]

-ant that is or does something significant, ignorant [VERBS]

-ious, -ous characterized by, having the nature nutritious, portentous, studious. [NOUNS]
 or quality of poisonous, glorious, mysterious

-ish having the quality of, from the fiendish, childish, snobbish, British, [ADJECTIVES]
country mentioned, [disapproving] childish, Spanish, yellowish, Turkish, Irish, [NOUNS]
having the nature of, like, fairly, Spanish, childish
approximately

-ive having the nature of, tending to, creative, punitive, divisive, decisive, [VERBS]
having the nature of explosive, descriptive, expressive

-y characterized by, full of, having the sleazy, hasty, greasy, nerdy, smelly. [NOUNS]
quality of, tending to dusty, rainy, sunny, angry, thirsty, silky,
hairy

Most Rare

-esque reminiscent of, in the style of picturesque, statuesque, burlesque, dant [NOUNS]
esque

-ial typical of Dictatorial [NOUNS]

-ian from, typical of Belgian, Brazilian; Shakespearian, [NOUNS]

Canadian, Malaysian, Peruvian

-like similar to, typical of child-like, shelllike, godlike [NOUNS]

-ly having the qualities of, intervals of friendly, cowardly, scholarly, daily, [NOUNS]
monthly, yearly

-ese Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese

-i Iraqi, Pakistani, Yemeni

-some A tendency to Quarrelsome

In American English, verbs end with -ize, versus British English, in which the spelling changes to -ise.

American English: finalize, realize, emphasize, standardize

British English: finalise, realise, emphasise, standardise

Adverb

Suffix -Adverb Meaning Example Converted

In the way mentioned, at calmly, easily, quickly, happily, suddenly, [ADJECTIVES]

-ly
intervals of luckily, beautifully, hourly, daily [NOUNS]

-ward(s) In the direction of downwards, homeward(s), upwards, [ADJECTIVES]

 [ADVERBS]
eastward(s), backward(s), outward(s),
[NOUNS]

anti-clockwise, clockwise, edgewise, [NOUNS]

-wise In the manner or direction of
clockwise, sidewise, lengthwise

Forming adverbs from adjectives

Rule Adjectives -> Adverbs Adjectives -> Adverbs

Most of the times, an adverb is formed by adding Beautiful -> beautifully, Polite -> politely, Cheap -> cheaply,
‘ly’ at the end to an adjective. Slow -> slowly, Deep -> deeply, Special -> Specially, Quick ->
quickly

Adjective ending with ‘_y’ Crazy -> crazily, Easy -> easily, Lucky-> luckily, Happy -> happily,
Angry -> angrily
The adjective word ending with ‘y’ needs to be
converted to an adverb with the help of suffix ‘_ily.,
i.e, replace the ‘y’ with ‘i’ and add ‘ly’.

Adjective ending with ‘_e’ or ‘_l’ Nice -> nicely, True -> truly, Probable -> probably, Gentle ->
gently, Polite -> politely, Full -> fully, Terrible -> terribly
Whenever adjectives ending with the letter ‘l’ or’ e’
are used, we can use the letter ‘_ly’ as a suffix to
convert it into an adverb (In some cases, the
adjective ends in ‘le’, ‘able’ or ‘ible ‘. In these cases,
replace the ‘e’ with ‘y’)

Adjective ending with ‘ic’, Economic -> economically, Enthusiastic -> enthusiastically,
Tragic -> tragically, Realistic -> realistically, Basic -> basically,
An adjective ending with ‘ic’ has been concatenated
Economic -> economically
with suffix ‘ally’ to form an adverb.

Adjective ending with ‘_able’ or ‘_ible’ or ‘_le’ Regrettable -> regrettably, Terrible -> terribly, Horrible ->
horribly
Adjectives ending with ‘_able’ or ‘_ible’ or ‘_le’ are
converted into adverb by using suffix as ‘_ly’.

Words used as both adjectives and adverbs Daily -> Daily, Early -> Early

There are some words which are used in same for

both Adjective and Adverb forms.

Not all the words end in ‘_ly’ are adverbs. Friendly, Merrily, Lovely, Lonely

Following are some words ending with ‘_ly’ are not

adverbs but adjectives.
 Adding suffixes: General rules

Generally, when a suffix is added to a word ending in a consonant, the spelling of the word and the suffix
are not changed.

adopt – adoption;

cold – coldness;

Changes take place mostly in those cases where a suffix beginning with a vowel is added to a word
ending in E or Y, and in some cases of adding to GE, CE, C, DE, D, T. Changes in pronunciation may also
take place

i-vowel suffixes

Many words contain suffixes beginning with -i-, especially in combination with other suffixes, like -ious, ion, i-
an, etc. In these cases, the main word stress shifts to the syllable immediately preceding the i-vowel suffix.
Sometimes the stressed vowel before the i-vowel suffix may be shortened. Hyphenated form by themselves
(like ‘al- ‘) indicate a Latin/Greek word root, prefix, or suffix that does not exist as a word by itself.

Note: Also, e-vowel suffixes usually display similar stress and pronunciation patterns as the i-vowel suffixes:

spontáneous, advantágeous, carbonáceous, crustácean

i-vowel Suffixes -ian, -iana, -ial, -iant, -iance, -iancy, -iate, -iary, -ien, -ient, -ience, -iency, -ion, -
ious

The stressed vowel in the preceding syllable is always stressed, and tends to be long if the base ends in a
single consonant (VC), except for the short í=[I], if it is followed by two consonants (VCC), It is short.

(-VC Vowel is short) -VC(Base)+ IVS

Where IVS = i-vowel suffix, V = vowel, C = consonant

Long Vowel IVS Complete word

á = [eI / ey / EI] -ial Spátial

é=[i:] -ion Secrétion

ó=["u] Ion Locomótion

ú=[u:] -ion Electrocútion

í C + IVS
í = [I] -ion Partítion

(-VCC) (Base)+IVS

Short Vowel IVS Complete word

á = [æ] -ion Contráction

é = [!] -ion Detéction

í = [I] -ion Jurisdíction

ó = [a: ~ "] -ion Concóction

ú = [U] -ion Condúction

Short and Long Vowel

Rule Pattern Sound(short/Long) Example

A syllable is long if it consists of a V/ [ey, i: cu, u:] Long Abatement

long vowel (V:), a double vowel VV / au, ea, oi, long Encounter
(VV), a vowel and two or more
consonants (VCC). VCC Long Enactment

A syllable is short if it contains a V/ [æ, s, I, U] Short Leviathan

short vowel (V) or a vowel + VC short Annihilate
consonant (VC).

i-vowel suffixes pronunciation

The i-vowel suffixes can cause a change in the pronunciation of certain final consonant of the root (base) word. These
consonants are usually {t, d, s}, and change to {∫, §, y}.

Consonant affected Suffix Example

-t- = ∫ tion, -tian, -tial, -tient, -tiate, - Resignation, Mártian, partial, patient,
tious initiate, fictitious

-Ct- = %, certain consonants + - - tion, -tian, -tial, -tient, -tiate, depíction, deténtion, reáction,
experiéntial, séntient, poténtiate,
t-, e.g., -ct-, -nt-
conténtious

-c- =∫ -cian, -cial, -cier Mortician, financial, glacier

s- = & -ian, -ial, -sion Eurásian, ambrosial, derision

-Cs- = $ -ion Ascension

 Neutral Suffixes

Neutral Suffixes: Neutral Suffixes do not affect the main stress, and don’t cause the stress to shift when they are added.
These include the grammatical (Weak) endings. Most word-building suffixes in English are neutral suffixes.

Grammatical Suffixes -ed, -ing, -s, -es, -er, -est

Word-Building -able, -age, -al, -ary, -ate, -er, -or, -ful, -hood, -ible, -ice, -ile,-ish,-ism,-ist,-ize,-less, -ment, -
Suffixes most, -old, -ship, -some, -th, -ward, -wise, -y

Suffix and Word Stress

Stress only SHIFTS IF The -ION Suffixes is Added to word with -ATE Suffix
STRESS the syllable BEFORE the -inal, -ion, -ional, -ia, -ial, -ian, -ual, - ical, -ic, -ior, -ery, -ient, --ience,
suffix or Stress on penultimate -CIOUS, - TIOUS, -EOUS, -UOUS, -ious, -uous -osis, - LOGY, -tion,
syllable (penultimate = second from -sion, -aition-nal,
end)
Stress on ante-penultimate ATE, -IZE, -ARY, --cy / -ty /phy /-gy / -al, -cal, -ary, -graph, itude/-
syllable (ante-penultimate = third itute, -ise/ize, -ily, -ITY, -IFY, -ILITY, -GRAPHY, -METER, -
from end), Stress the SECOND last itude /-itute, -graph,
syllable BEFORE the suffix.
Primary Stress is placed on these -ee, -eer, -ese, - ette, -ique,
suffixes.

Suffixes do not affect the stress of a - able, age, -al, -ative, er, -ed, -ful, -fy, -ish, -ist, -ing, -ism, -ise, -ly, -
word. less -ment, -ness, -ous

Word Stress: Symbols for Indicating Stress

Textbooks and dictionaries use two main ways of indicating stress in words. (Unstressed
syllables are usually not marked.)
1. A small vertical line above the line of type at the beginning of a syllable shows primary stress:
communiˈcation.
A small vertical line below the line of type at the beginning of a syllable shows secondary stress:
comˌmuniˈcation.
 2. A slanted accent mark with a positive slope above a vowel shows primary stress:
communication.
A slanted accent mark with a negative slope above a vowel shows secondary stress:
commùnicátion.
Other ways to indicate primary stress:
3. Write the stressed syllable in capital or bold letters (or both): communiCAtion.
4. Underline the stressed syllable: communication.

5. Put a circle, dot, or other mark above the stressed syllable: communication, communication.

Stress and pronunciation on adding Suffix

Primary stress is placed on the syllable before the following suffixes.
Suffix Example
-al (sometimes) departˈmental, inciˈdental, adjecˈtival
-ial, -cial, -sial, -tial, -ual Artificial, Credential, potential, fiˈnancial, controˈversial, iˈnitial, reˈsidual

-ian, -cian, -sian, -ia muˈsician, phyˈsician, ˈPersian, ˈmania

-graphy Biography, Geography, photography
-ian Musician, Librarian, politician
-ic Atlantic, Pacific, specific
-ic, -ical Comical, Logical, typical, scienˈtific, eˈlectric, iˈdentical
-ience Patience, Conscience, convenience
-ient, -ience, -iant, -iance Convenient, Deficient, sufficient, ˈpatient, ˈpatience, ˈradiant, ˈradiance
-ify Justify, Terrify, testify, iˈdentify, huˈmidify, eˈlectrify, ˈbeautify
-ily Primarily, Necessarily, temporarily
-inal Criminal, Terminal, original
-ion, -tion, -sion Opinion, Rebellion, religion, conˈdition, exˈtension, oˈpinion
-ional Exceptional, Occasional, vocational
-ious Delicious, Contagious, Suspicious
-ious, -eous, -uous, -ous, - Envious, Courageous, continuous, mysˈterious, couˈrageous, amˈbiguous
-ity, -ety Ability, Facility, stability, creaˈtivity, iˈdentity, elecˈtricity, anˈxiety
-logy Apology, Biology, technology
-ive, -itive, -ative posˈsessive, ˈpositive, ˈrelative
-itude ˈgratitude, ˈaptitude, ˈlatitude, ˈattitude
-graphy, -grapher phoˈtography, phoˈtographer, biˈography
-logy, -logist biˈology, biˈologist, sociˈology, sociˈologist
-ible possible [ˈpɑs əә bəәl], responsible [ɹɪˈspɑn səә bəәl], terrible [ˈtεɹ əә bəәl]

Primary stress is placed two syllables before these suffixes

suffix Example
-ary Ordinary, military, necessary
-graph Autograph, paragraph, photograph
-itudel, -itute Attitude, Magnitude, substitute
-ise/-ize Advertise, Modernize, penalize

STRESS THE SECOND SYLLABLE BEFORE THE SUFFIX

SUFFIX EXAMPLES
-ate ˈestimate, proˈcrastinate, ˈgraduate, ˈseparate
Some words with -ate can be either verbs or nouns/adjectives.
The stress is the same for both, but the pronunciation of -ate changes.
Verbs: He’ll graduate from college. /ˈɡræʤuweyt/
-ate = /eyt/. Let’s separate the truth from the lies. /ˈsɛpəreyt/
Nouns/adjectives: She’s a college graduate. /ˈɡræʤuwət/
-ate = /ət/. That’s a separate problem. /ˈsɛpərət/
 Primary stress is placed on these suffixes
suffix Example
-ee Absentee, Refugee, trainee, refeˈree, nomiˈnee, refuˈgee, trustee [tɹʌˈsti],
guarantee [ˌgæɹ əәnˈti], referee [ˌɹεf əәˈɹi], committee [kəәˈmɪd i]
-eer Career, Engineer, volunteer, career [kəәˈrɪəәɹ], engineer [ˌεn ʤəәˈnɪəәɹ],
volunteer [ˌvɑl əәnˈtɪəәɹ]
-ese Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Chinese [ʧaɪˈniz], Japanese [ˌʤæp əәˈniz],
legalese [ˌli gəәˈliz], bureaucraˈtese

diskˈette, kitchenˈette, cigarˈette, cigarette [ˌsɪ gəәˈɹεt], kitchenette [ˌkɪʧ əә

-ette
ˈnεt], silhouette [ˌsɪl uˈεt]
-esque picturˈesque, groˈtesque, Romanˈesque
-ique Boutique, Technique, unique
-aire, -eer questionˈnaire, volunˈteer, engiˈneer

-esce, -escent, -escence coaˈlesce, adoˈlescent, adoˈlescence

-ette Brunette, Cassette, cigarette

GROUP 4: THE SUFFIX DOESN’T CHANGE THE STRESS

SUFFIX EXAMPLES
-able, -ible underˈstandable, ˈcomfortable, ˈpossible
-ness ˈkindness, ˈcarefulness, poˈliteness
-ful ˈcareful, ˈmeaningful, ˈbeautiful
-less ˈcareless, ˈmeaningless, ˈthankless
-ish ˈselfish, ˈyellowish, ˈchildish
-er, -or, -ess, -ist ˈteacher, conˈductor, ˈactress, ˈdentist
-ly
ˈmanly, ˈwomanly / ˈeasily, ˈquickly
(adjective/adverb)
-en ˈthreaten, ˈtighten, enˈlighten
-hood ˈbrotherhood, ˈchildhood, ˈknighthood
-some ˈhandsome, ˈtiresome, ˈloathsome
 -dom ˈfreedom, ˈkingdom, ˈwisdom
-ward ˈhomeward, ˈseaward, ˈforward
-al (sometimes) ocˈcasional, ˈfictional, ˈpersonal
-ment ˈdocument, enˈjoyment, enterˈtainment
-ize, -ise, -yze ˈcapitalize, ˈrealize, ˈadvertise, ˈanalyze
Grammatical
underˈstands, ˈcatches, underˈstanding,
endings:
ˈcatching, ˈhappier, ˈhappiest
-s, -ed, -ing, -er, -est

Stress of English words and sentences: basic rules and functions.

Words ending in er, or, ly

For words ending with the suffixes -er, -or, or -ly, the stress is placed on the first syllable.
Word end Example
-er MA-nage/MA-nag-er
DI-Rect/DI-rec-tor
-or
OR-der/OR-der-ly
-ly

Words ending in consonants and in y

If there is a word that ends in a consonant or in a y, then the first syllable gets the stress.
Word end Example
Consonant OP-ti-mal, GRA-di-ent, CON-tain-er
Y RA-ri-ty

Prefixes, Usually, prefixes do not take the stress of a word.

There are a few exceptions to this rule, however, like: un, in, pre, ex and mis, which are all stressed in their
prefix.
Prefix Example
Ex- e-XAM-ple, ex-pla-Nation, e-XAM-ine
In- IN-side, IN-efficient, IN-terest
Mis- MIS-spoke, MI-stake, MIS-spelled
Pre- PRE-cede, PRE-ar-range, PRE-li-min-ary

Stress on the second from the end syllable

You put stress on the second syllable from the end of the word, with words ending in ic, sion and tion.
Suffix-End Example Example Example
-ic i-CON-ic
-sion Hy-per-TEN-sion
-tion Nu-TRI-tion

Stress on the third from end syllable

You put stress on the third from end syllable with words that end in cy, ty, phy, gy and al
Suffix-End Example Example Example
-cy de-mo-CRA-cy
-ty TREA-ty
-phy Ge-O-graphy
-gy AL-ler-gy
-al NAU-ti-cal

Meanings Determined by Stress on the Suffix

Most suffixes change a word into either a noun, a verb, an adjective, or an adverb. Certain suffixes can
denote either a noun or a verb. The difference between them is made clear in the way they are stressed.
The noun is spoken with the suffix unstressed, and the verb is spoken with the suffix stressed.
Noun Verb Adjective Adverb
Alternate Alternate
Appropriate appropriate
Associate Associate
Duplicate Duplicate
Estimate Estimate
Separate Separate
 SUFFIXES AND STRESS PLACEMENT

 We will focus on primary stress as well as on secondary stress and on reduced syllables.
 You will notice that pronunciation, especially of vowels, is also based on a word's stress
pattern.

Suffix: -able
-able: This suffix forms adjectives, and it does not affect stress.
Verb adjective Verb adjective
Dispose disposable market Marketable
Manage manageable predict Predictable
Excuse excusable

-ity, -ility
 These suffixes form nouns. As a general rule, stress is placed on the syllable before the suffix.
 Listen to this adjective and the corresponding noun formed by the suffix -ity.

noun adjective noun Adjective

serene serenity credible Credibility
mature maturity capable Capability
secure security possible Possibility
sincere sincerity available Availability
Able ability responsible Responsibility
eligible eligibility

-ive, -itive
 These suffixes form adjectives. As a general rule, primary stress is placed on the syllable
before the suffix.
Verb adjective Verb Adjective
impress impressive describe Descriptive
Permit permissive compete Competitive
declare declarative Repeat Repetitive

-ion, -sion, -tion

 These suffixes form nouns. As a general rule, primary stress is placed on the syllable before
the suffix.

noun Verb Noun verb

rebellion Rebel discussion discuss
conversion convert omission omit
collision Collide permission permit
decision Decide connection connect
division Divide correction correct
revision Revise attraction attract
collection collect election elect
inspection inspect selection select

The following are verbs and their corresponding nouns.

Notice that in addition to a shift in primary stress the first syllable in the noun is given secondary
stress.
Verb Noun Verb Noun
Compete competition compose composition
Define definition oppose opposition
Repeat repetition constitute constitution
Institute institution substitute substitution
Admire admiration confirm confirmation
Converse conversation declare declaration
Resign resignation Invite invitation
Observe observation prepare preparation
Reserve reservation hesitate hesitation
Complicate complication concentrate concentration
Demonstrate demonstration generate generation
Celebrate celebration educate education
Imitate imitation immigrate immigration

The second syllable is given primary stress on the verb and secondary stress on the noun. Remember
to stress the noun correctly.
Verb Noun Verb noun
Appreciate appreciation communicate communication
Associate association congratulate congratulations
Cooperate cooperation investigate investigation
Discriminate discrimination participate participation

-ify
This suffix forms verbs. As a general rule, primary stress is placed on the syllable before suffix.
Noun Verb Noun verb
Class classify simple simplify

suffix -tion
Stress shifts to the syllable before the suffix -tion.
Verb Noun Verb Noun
beautify beautification verify verification
certify certification qualify qualification
classify classification specify specification
justify justification simplify simplification

-ize
This suffix forms verbs. It does not affect primary stress.
adjectives Verb adjectives Verb
real Realize sanitary sanitize
Social Socialize

-al
 This suffix forms adjectives.
 It does not affect primary stress.
 Repeat these nouns and the corresponding adjectives.

Noun Adjectives Noun adjectives

Comic Comical Critic critical
Logic Logical convention conventional
occasion Occasional vocation vocational

-ial, -cial, -tial

 These suffixes form adjectives.
 As a general rule, primary stress is placed on the syllable before the suffix.
 The following are nouns and the corresponding adjectives formed by these suffixes.
Noun Adjectives Noun adjectives
memory Memorial commerce commercial
territory territorial resident residential
Finance Financial office official
confidence confidential residence residential

ly, -ally
These suffixes form adverbs. Neither suffix adjectives and the corresponding adverbs.
Notice that the suffixes -ly and -ally are pronounced the same.
Adjectives Adverb Adjectives Adverb
Basic Basically official officially
thorough Thoroughly potential potentially
Casual Casually confidentially confidentially
practical Practically emotional emotionally
Initial Initially exceptional exceptionally
Critic Critically occasional occasionally
Actual Actually professional professionally
Total Totally Specific specifically,
physical Physically absolute Absolutely

-ian, -cian
 These suffixes form nouns relating to another noun.
 As a general rule ‘primary stress is placed on the syllable before the suffix.

Noun Noun Noun Noun

Comedy Comedian Canada Canadian
library Librarian music musician
clinic Clinician electric electrician
mathematics mathematician
Adjective Noun Adjective Noun
musical Musician physician physician
technical Technician political politician

-logy, -graphy, -metry, -omy

 These sufflxes form nouns.
 As a general rule, primary stress is placed on the syllable before the suffix.
  The following are nouns and two forms of corresponding adjectives.
Noun Adjective Adjective
Economy Economic economical
Geography Geographic geographical
Geometry Geometric geometrical
Noun Adjective Adverb
Biology Biological biologically
Ecology Ecological ecologically
Geology Geological geologically
psychology Psychological psychologically
Technology Technological technologically

-etic
 This suffix forms adjectives.
 As a general rule, primary stress is placed on the syllable before this suffix.
Noun Adjective Noun Adjective
empathy Empathetic energy energetic
sympathy Sympathetic apology apologetic

Self-Stressed suffix

Rule Example
Look for words with the following suffixes: ee, Employee, trainee, cigarette, cassette, unique,
ette, ique, ese, eer. The suffix is always stressed in boutique, Japanese, Chinese, engineer, maintain,
these words. explain
 Syllable Stress Changes
Rule Example
When a word changes from politics -> political, politician; photograph -> photographic, photography;
a noun to a verb or to an compete -> competitive, competition; economy -> economical, economize;
adjective or adverb, democrat -> democracy, democratic; family -> familiar, familiarity; necessary
frequently the stress -> necessarily, necessity; Hospital-> hospitality, hospitable; origin ->
placement changes as well. originality, original; mechanic -> mechanism, mechanical; define ->
definition, definitely; Vary -> variety, variation; courage -> courageous;
probably -> probability; Geography -> geographic; memory -> memorial;
Canada -> Canadian; ignore -> ignorance

Prefix
A syllable or a word part added to the beginning of the word is called as prefix. They never change the part
of speech.
Part of Speech
Affix Meaning Example
Used with
anti- against Adjective, Noun Antisocial, antifreeze, antivirus, anticlockwise,
anti-bacterial, anticlimax, antidote, antithesis
Auto- self Noun Autopilot, autograph, autobiography,
autobiography, automobile
be- make or cause Verb befriend, belittle
Bi- two Noun Biannual, bilingualism, biculturalism, bi-mentalism
Co- Together, joint Verb, noun Coexist, co-worker, co-exist, co-operate, co-own,
co-founder, co-owner, co-descendant
counter-argument, counter-example, counter-
counter- against Noun
proposal
de- do the opposite of Verb devalue, deselect
dis- not, reverse, Verb, Noun Disappear, dishonest, discontinue disadvantage,
absence, separate, disagree, disobey, Disagree, disobedient, disappear,
remove, converse disallow, disarm, disconnect, discontinue.
discomfort, dislike
en- to make, have, turns a noun into an Enrage
 become adjective The dog is full of rage (full of anger).
The enraged dog is barking (the dog has been made
angry).
ex- former Noun Ex-president, ex-chairman, ex-hunter
fore- earlier, before Verb foreclose, foresee
Il- not adjective Illegal, illogical,
Im- not adjective Impolite, impossible, important
In- Not, the converse Adjective, Noun Incomplete, inactive, invisible, incapable,
of, inside Incomplete, informal, inappropriate, interface,
Indirect, inattention, incoherence, incompatibility,
inpatient
Inter- between Verb, Noun Interview, interstate, interact, intermix, interface,
interaction, inter-change, interference
ir- not adjective Irregular
The verb is regular (has a pattern).
The verb is irregular (does not have a pattern).
mal- bad Noun malfunction, maltreatment, malnutrition
mini- small Noun mini-publication, mini-theory
Mis- wrong, bad Verb/Noun Misread, misunderstand, mislead, misbehave,
misconduct, mislead, misinform, misidentify,
misconduct, misdeed, mismanagement
non- not noun / adjective Nonsense,
Ob- / op against Verb Oppose
- I oppose violence (I do not agree with violence).
more or better than outperform, outbid, outbuilding
out- Verb, Noun
others, separate
Over too much Verb Overcook, overbook, oversleep, overwork
poly- many Noun Polysyllable
Post- Postgraduate,
Pre- before verb / adjective / nou Prepare, premature, preview, preschool, prehistory,
n pre-expose, prejudge, pretest
Pro- Proactive,
un- Not, reverse verb / adjective Unhappy, untidy, unfair, unbend, uncouple,
 unfasten
re- again, or back Verb, Noun Redo, repay, rebuild, recycle, rewrite, reappear,
refresh, replace, refill, Remove, reuse, relay,
restructure, revisit, reappear, rebuild, refinance, re-
organization, re-assessment, re-examination
Self- self-respect,
Semi- semi-final
Sub- under/below Noun Subway, submerge, subcontinent, subtitle,
submarine, subcontract, subdivide, subset,
subdivision
super- more than, above Noun superset, superimposition, superpowers
trans- across, over Verb transform, transcribe, transplant
Tri- three Noun Tricycle, tripartism
Un- Unpack
not enough, below,
under- Verb, noun underpayment, under-development, undergraduate
too little
vice- deputy Noun vice-president

Prefix Type
Key Concepts
A prefix is added to the beginning of a word root. Adding a prefix does not alter the spelling of the word root.
However, adding a prefix to a word does change the meaning of the original word.
1. The prefixes uni- (one) and bi- (two) refer to quantities, as in unicycle and bilingual.
2. The prefixes sub- (below) and super- (above) refer to position, as in subconscious and superfluous.
3. The prefixes pre- (before) and re- (again) refer to time, as in preconception and reconcile.
4. The prefixes anti- (against) and dis- (not) make a word negative, as in antibiotic and disembodied.
5. The prefix com- takes many spellings, including con- and co-, and means “together” or “with,” as in
commemorate.
6. The prefix ad-, which often means “toward,” can change its spelling to match the first letter of the word or
root that follows, as in appalling.

Type Prefix
Negative Un, in, im, il, ir, non, Mis, mal, Dis-, Anti-, De-, Under,

Positive Re, over

Size semi, equi-, mini-, Macro-, mega-

Location Inter-, intra-, super-, trans-, ex-, in-, extra-, sub-, infra-, peri-

Time and Order Ante-, pre-, prime-, post-, retro-, hex-, sept(em)-, oct-,

Numbers Semi-, mono-, bi-, tri-, quad-, penta-, dec-, multi-,

Others Pro-, auto-, co-,

The rules governing Prefix

Rule Examples
When adding in or un as prefixes, use only one n unless Numerable-→ innumerable, Necessary-→
the word starts with an n. unnecessary
When adding mis or dis as a prefix, use only ones unless Agree-→ disagree, Satisfied-→ dissatisfied,
the word starts with an s. Applied-→ misapplied, Spelt-→ misspelt
When adding ly to a word that ends in ic, use ally (two Basic-→ basically, Tragic-→ tragically, Comic-→
l’s) comically, Frantic-→ frantically.

Rules for Prefixes Stress Noun and Verb

Rule Example
Prefix + verb combinations usually have second Oversleep, understand, outlive, rewrite, overdo, undertake,
syllable stress outperform, redo
If the prefix + the root word function as a noun, oversight, undertaker, refill, outsourcing, overdose,
the first syllable is stressed. underwear, repeat, outcome

Practice with Prefixes

Practice saying the following groups of words with the same prefixes, paying attention to the changes in
stress. In the nouns, stress the prefix. In the verbs, stress the root word.
PREFIX Prefix + root word = NOUN Prefix + root word = VERB
 Stress the prefix Stress the root word
prevent, prepare, predict, precede,
pre– preview, prefix
prefer, pretend
per– permit perform, persuade, permit
product, process, profit, progress, produce, protect, propose, project,
pro–
project, program prolong, profess, promote
mis– mischief, misprint, misfit misplace, misquote, misread
concert, contest, conflict, congress, confess, control, conduct, confuse,
con–
concept, content, confirm, consent, console
compete, complain, compare,
com– complex, compound
compose, compute
observe, obtain, obsess,
ob– object
obscure, obstruct
sub– subject, suburb, subway subtract, submit, subscribe
explain, extract, exhale, excuse,
ex– expert, exile, excerpt
exchange, exceed, exclude, excite
de– detail, defect, decrease deny, demand, defend
dis– discount, discourse, district discuss, distrust, disturb
agree, apply, admit, adore, afford, alert,
a– access, addict, anchor
applaud, approve, arrange, attack

Adding Suffix
Suffix/ Rule Example
ante- or anti-? antibiotic, anticlockwise, anticyclone,
antidepressant, Antecedent, antedate,
Choose the prefix ante- if your word means before or ahead,
antenatal, Anteroom, antifreeze, anti-
ante- does not usually have to be followed by a hyphen.
inflammatory, anti-French
Choose the prefix anti- if your word means opposite or against,
even with anti- most words require no hyphenation. anti- is
always followed by a hyphen before an i or a capital letter.
Adding the suffixes -ant and -ent to words can create both Negligent, Inhabitant, stimulant,
nouns and adjectives. When used to create nouns, the suffixes - predominant, Dependent
ant and -ent mean a person or thing that has the characteristic
of the root word.
When used to create adjectives, -ant and -ent refer to a person,
place, or thing “that does” or “that shows” the action of the
word root.
fore- or for-? forswear, foresight, forestall, Foretaste,
forgo, forlorn, Forsake, foreshadow, forget,
Choose the prefix fore- if your word means before or ahead,
forgive
otherwise you need for
 Foretell, forewarn, forfeit, Forbid, Forecast,
forefather, forerunners,
-ance or -ence? Significance, tolerance, inheritance,
Elegance, maintenance
The suffixes -ance and -ence mean “the state, condition, or
quality of” and are used to create nouns. Innocence, adolescence, prominence (means
“a condition of being prominent.”),
-ance is always added to a hard c or g, If the preceding c or g is
Intelligence
soft choose -ence
-ch or -tch? Church, Touch, Filch, bench
Choose -ch if it is to be preceded by either a consonant or two Coach, catch, Watch
vowels, but if it is to be preceded by a single vowel, you need -
tch
-us vs -ous? The -us ending is used for nouns, and -ous is used virus, generous, religious, humorous
for adjectives. Both -us and -ous endings are pronounced -us genius, focus
The suffixes -ance and -ence mean “the state, condition, or prominence means “a condition of being
quality of” and are used to create nouns. The suffixes -ance prominent
and -ence may be added to word roots that are not complete
words, as in adolescence and tolerance; complete words, as in
inheritance; or words whose spelling has been altered, as in
maintenance.
Adding the suffixes -ant and -ent to words can create both stimulant means “something that stimulates
nouns and adjectives.
inhabitant means “one who inhabits”
When used to create nouns, the suffixes -ant and -ent mean a
person or thing that has the characteristic of the root word.
When used to create adjectives, -ant and -ent refer to a person,
place, or thing “that does” or “that shows” the action of the
word root, as in predominant, negligent, and dependent.
able and ible? Break-breakable, Eat-eatable, indelible,
credible, legible, ostensible, Avoid-
Add able to the whole root word. If the root does not appear to
avoidable, Accept-acceptable,
be a complete word, it will probably take ible.
Drink-drinkable, Wash-washable, fallible,
negligible, Reason-reasonable, Fix-fixable,
audible, edible
able and ible? admirable, reducible, debatable,
submergible, consolable, defensible,
A large number of root words that end in s or t use the ible
sensible, forgivable, sensible, accessible,
ending.
reversible,
 words ending in a soft c or a soft g will also usually use the noticeable, bridgeable, peaceable,
ible ending, Words ending in a silent e usually drop the silent e changeable, manageable, useable, likeable,
when adding able or ible, especially when it follows a soft c or salvageable, collapsible, exhaustible,
soft g, If the root ends in a soft c or a soft g, it must retain the convertible, forcible, illegible
silent e if the suffix is able.
able and ible? Indefatigable, Implacable,
If the root word ends in i or in a y which will change to an i, Despicable, navigable
the suffix cannot be ible, as we would then have a double i.
We must use able.
able and ible? Mixable, fixable, Taxable,
Words ending in x take able, with one exception.
able and ible? demonstrable, tolerate
If the root word can accept the suffix ate or ation, then it must impregnate-→impregnation-→impregnable
use able.
toleration, tolerable, demonstrate,
demonstration, tax, taxation-> taxable
able and ible? combust-→ combustion-→ combustible,
audit-→ audition-→ auditable,
To retain continuity when forming derivatives, if the root can
accept ion but not ation, then we must use ible. collect-→ collection-→ collectible, corrupt-
→ corruption-→ corruptible

The rules using ous, ious, eous and uous

The eous is pronounced as two syllables, e-ous.

Rule Example
In the majority of cases, the ous is added to the root Danger-> dangerous, Marvel -> marvellous, Cancer ->
word or a portion of the root word. Almost always, cancerous, Hazard-> hazardous, Cancer-> cancerous
if the root ends in a consonant it will take the simple
ous.
If the root word ends in a silent e, then, in most Nerve- > nervous, Fame-> famous, Desire-> desirous,
cases, the e is dropped. Ridicule-> ridiculous, Adventure -> adventurous,
Torture -> torturous
 If the root word ends in a soft g followed by a silent Advantage -→ advantageous, Rampage -→
e, then the e is retained to protect the g but it is still rampageous, Courage-→ courageous
silent.
If the root ends in a soft c followed by a silent e, Grace-→ gracious, Vice-→ vicious, Malice-→
then the e is changed to i and has the sh sound. malicious, Office-→officious, Space -→ spacious
If the root ends in y, we change the y to i and the Envy-→ envious, Vary-→ various, Harmony-→
new word will have the long e sound harmonious, Mystery-→ mysterious, Fury -→furious,
Luxury-→luxurious
If the root ends in c, t, or x, then the suffix will be Conscious, cautious, delicious, anxious, ambitious
ious and it will have a sh sound. While many of the
root words have disappeared, we still have the
adjectives.
When To Use -US And -OUS Nouns: genius, focus, virus, census, phosphorus, genius
Nouns end in ‘us’. Adjectives end in ‘ous’. Note that Adjectives: generous, religious, humorous, jealous,
both spellings are still pronounced -us. Do not unanimous, tremendous
pronounce the -ous ending like in the word “house.”

The rules using tion, sion, ssion, tian, cian, cion, shion, xion, sian, cean
Rule Examples
The suffix sion is a variation of tion and is Pretend-> pretension, Comprehend-> comprehension, Profuse-
usually used after roots ending in d, s with a → profusion, Converse-→ conversion, Convulse-→
silent e, and sometimes t. convulsion, Avert-→ aversion
Words ending in double ‘s’ will be spelled - Confess -→ confession, Access-→ accession, Possess-→
ssion possession, Express-→ expression
Words ending in -mit, cede and -ceed will also Remit-→ remission, Permit-→ permission, Admit-→
use the double s admission, Commit-→ commission, Secede-→ secession,
Proceed-→ procession, Accede-→ accession, Concede-
→concession
The cian ending is almost always used to optician, musician, beautician, physician
indicate a trade, skill, or a profession.
The tian ending is similar to cian, but usually Martian, dalmatian, Christian, Faustian
indicates a place of origin or a belief

The rules using le, el, al, il, ol, ul and yl

 Rule Examples
If the root ends in a soft c or a soft g, it cannot be Cancel, Parcel, excel, Angel, cudgel
followed by le or al, it must therefore use el.
If the ending follows a hard c or a hard g, it cannot be el magical, chemical, struggle, vehicle, miracle, Angle,
and must therefore be either le or al. jingle, regal, musical, Frugal, prodigal
The vast majority of words ending in al is adjectives. Note horizontal, Suicidal, suicidal, tidal, vertical, Musical,
that words ending in the silent e will lose the e before the medical, colossal, chemical, Brutal, Suicidal, tidal
al.
A large majority of words ending in cle or ckle are nouns. miracle, Tentacle, article, buckle, testicle, Cockle,
vehicle, freckle, Beetle, Hotel, coastal, Pastel, total
In English spelling, the le never follows the letters m, n, r,
v, and w. Only six words use sle.
The following consonants are usually followed by le: b, d,
f, g, p, and z. There are a few exceptions: The letter t may
be followed by le, el, or al.

The rules using ical, acle, icle

Rule Examples
Words ending in ical are almost always adjectives. chemical, Cyclical, logical, lyrical, clinical, Musical,
medical, statistical
Words ending in acle and icle are almost always obstacle, Article, cubicle, barnacle
nouns.

The rules using ant, ent, ance, ence, ense

Rule Examples
After a hard c or a hard g, the suffix will be ant. Communicant, applicant, arrogant, Lubricant, Intoxicant,
Elegant, litigant
After a soft c or a soft g, the suffix will be ent. Innocent, adolescent, urgent, Pungent, Reticent, magnificent,
convergent, intelligent
The suffix ent indicates a quality or a Excellent, Efficient, complacent, Negligent, Obsolescent,
characteristic. The word will probably be an Absent, intelligent, Impotent
adjective.
The suffix ant indicates a person or thing that Pretendent, fumigant, lubricant, confidant, Deodorant,
does something. The word will probably be a occupant, contestant, Assistant
noun.

The rules using sy, cy

The cy has a hard s sound while the sy is soft. Compare fancy and daisy.
Rule Examples
The suffix cy is used to form nouns from root Urgent-→ urgency, Frequent-→ frequency, Lunatic-→
words that end in t, te, nt, and tic. lunacy, Pregnant-→ pregnancy, Private-→ privacy,
Truant-→ truancy, Democrat-→ democracy, Accurate-→
accuracy
The cy ending may also denote rank, office, or title. Regency, confederacy, excellency, Presidency, Papacy,
episcopacy
No commonly used verbs end in cy. These words Icy, Racy, juicy, Saucy, Spicy, Bouncy, lacy, Fleecy
will be mostly nouns, but there are a few adjectives
which come from roots that end in c or ce.
The sy ending is also used to create nouns or Dressy, Cutesy, cosy, Folksy, Tipsy, Nosy, bossy, Choosy
adjectives. The adjectives in this group tend to be
informal or diminutive.

The rules using less, ness

Rule Examples
The suffix less is added to a word without any worthless, Senseless, childless, Endless, tireless, Useless,
changes. If the root has a silent e it will be retained. Tailless, soulless, Merciless, penniless, Pitiless
If the root ends in l, the silent e is retained. Change
the y to i.
The suffix ness is added to a word without any darkness, Sameness, openness, kindness, goodness,
changes. If the root has a silent e, it is retained. If Blueness, politeness, Thinness, suddenness, Heartiness,
the root ends in an n, it is retained. Change the y to heaviness
i.

Rule for Adding Prefix

Rule Examples
When there is a prefix, we Mis + spell=misspell, in + humane → inhumane, dis + satisfied → dissatisfied,
do not normally add or take over + hear → overhear, super + human → superhuman, in + sane → insane, un +
away more letters. natural → unnatural, un + sure → unsure, inter + national → international,
 Dis+obey = disobey

Rule for Adding Prefixes il-, im-, ir-

Rule is commonly changing the prefix in- to il-, im- or ir- when the first letter of a word is l, m, p, or r.
Sub Rule Examples
in becomes il- before l Illegible, illiterate, illogical
in becomes im- before m or p Immoral, immature, impossible
in becomes ir- before r Irrelevant, irresponsible, irreplaceable

The Suffixes -ize, -ise, -yze

The suffixes -ize, -ise, and -yze are used in hundreds of verbs. As verb suffixes, they mean “to make” or “to
become.”
Rule Example
The suffix -ize is often added when the word
root ends in a consonant, as in characterize and
familiarize.
If the word root ends in a vowel, a consonant
may be added before the suffix -ize, as in
dramatize.
If the word root ends in y, the y may be deleted
before adding -ize, as in monopolize and
philosophize.
The suffix -ize can be used with word roots that
cannot stand alone, as in oxidize and pulverize.
The suffix -ise often follows the letters c, m, v,
or pr, as in advice. It is also used in some
common business words, such as merchandise.
The suffix -yze is used rarely. Commit words
such as analyze to memory.

Rule for dropping and adding letters

Rule Example
The suffix -ally is added to adjectives ending in -ic to realistic → realistically, tragic → tragically, basic →
form adverbs. basically
Changing -y to -i happy + -ly → happily, purify + -cation → purification,
reply + -ed → replied, busy + -ness → business, easy +
When we add a suffix to a word ending in a consonant
-ly → easily. day + -ly → daily hurry + -s →
+ -y, we normally change -y to i
hurries, amplify + -er → amplifier, spy + -s → spies,
fury + -ous → furious
Changing the "y" to "i" when adding suffix endings: If Beauty + ful > beauty + ful =beautiful, beautify,
a word ends in a consonant + Y, the Y changes to i beautician, ready: readily readiness, dry: dried, BUT
(unless adding endings with "i" -ing -ish, which drying, dryish, happy + ness = - happiness, happily,
already begins with an i). happier, happiest, defy: defies, defied, but defying
angry + er = angrier, angriest, angrily, pretty:
prettier, prettiest but prettyish, apply: applies, applied
but applying
Some words with one syllable keep the -y before a dryness, shyness, slyness
suffix: dryness, shyness, slyness.
We keep -y before -ing: studying, worrying.
We keep -y before ’s: the fly’s wings, Andy’s house.
We usually keep the -y in most words that end in a
vowel + -y.

The rules Adding Suffixes to Words that End in Y

Rule Example
Adding Suffixes to Words that End in Y Cry –→ cried –→ crier, Dry –→ dried –→ drier, lay –
→ laid (note the irregular spelling: no E), Baby –→
When you add a suffix that starts with E (such as -ed, -
babies, Family –→ families, Ugly –→ ugliest
er, or -est) to a word that ends in Y, the Y usually
changes to an I.
Note: The Y doesn’t change for the suffix -ing. Crying, laying, tidying, Sloppy -→ sloppily, Happy-→
happily, Scary-→ scarily
If the word in question has two consonants before the
Y, change the Y to I before adding the suffix -ly.

Suffixes and the Final y

Key Concepts
Adding a suffix to a word that ends in y may require a change in the word’s spelling. The following guidelines
will help you decide whether the spelling should be changed and, if so, how to change it. Try to visualize these
words as you study them.
Rule Example
If there is a vowel before the final y, keep the y. employ + ed = employed, fray + ed = frayed, display +
ing = displaying
If there is a consonant before the final y, change the y fortify + cation = fortification, fury + ous = furious, rely
to i before adding the suffix. + ance = reliance, tally + ed = tallied, unruly + ness =
unruliness
When adding the suffix -ing, keep the y. classify + ing = classifying

The rules changing Y to I

Rule is applied when forming plurals and when adding suffixes.
Rule Example
If there is a vowel before the y, add the s or the suffix. Boy-→ boys, day -→ days, Play -→ player, playful
If there is a consonant before the y, change the y to an i Baby-babies, Happy-> happily, Sloppy -> sloppiness,
before adding the plural es or the suffix Cry-> cried, Sky-> skies, Merry-> merrily
If the suffix begins with an i, then the y has to remain Pity-> pitying, Baby-> babyish
or we would have a double i which is extremely rare in
English.
When adding ous, most words change the y to i, but Victory-→ victorious, Injury-→ injurious, Luxury-→
there is a large group that changes y to e. There appears luxurious, Envy-→ envious, Pity-→ piteous, Beauty-→
to be no discernible reason for this anomaly beauteous, Plenty-→ plenteous, Courtesy-→ courteous
if the y has the long i sound, then it must be retained Sky-> skyly, Dry-> dryly, Shy-> shyly
when adding ly or ness in order to keep the long i
sound, even if it is preceded by a consonant
Words ending in ay usually obey the ay-ai spelling rule Day-→ daily, Slay-→ slain, Pay-→ paid, Gay-→ gaily,
Lay-→laid, Say-→ said
English language contains some words that sometimes Die-→ dying, Vie-→ vying, Lie-→lying, Tie-→ tying
reverse the process and change the ie to y. This
apparent anomaly is necessary to avoid the occurrence
of three vowels in a row, which is extremely rare in
English.

The rules using al, tial, cial, sial

Rule Example
The vast majority of words in this group will end in tial. Torrential, differential, tangential, presidential
This includes all words coming from a root that ends in t.
Words that come from a root that ends in a soft c or an x Commercial, official, crucial, racial, facial, social
will use the cial ending.
A major exception is any word that comes from a root that Sequential, confidential, residential, essential,
ends in ence or ance. These will use tial. substantial, circumstantial, preferential

The rules using ly, ally, ely, ily, lly and uly
Rule Examples
In the vast majority of cases, we simply add ly to the quickly, softly, kindly, firmly, slowly, coldly
root word.
If the root word ends in l or if it has the suffix ful, we annually, finally, beautifully, gracefully, formally
retain the l when we add ly. It will seem to have
doubled the l, but this is not a double l. It just looks
like it.
If the root word ends in al, then the suffix must be finally, royally, annually, dismally, formally, critically
ally.
Words ending in ic always use ally to retain the hard academically, dramatically, artistically, mechanically,
c. There are many words in this group automatically, organically, cynically
In most cases the silent e is retained. Leisurely, desperately, impassively, fortunately, closely,
finely, widely, sensitively

Words ending in le simply change the e to a y. Terribly, subtly, horribly

Change the y to i before adding the suffix. Prettily, funnily, ordinarily, dizzily, nastily, bloodily

Words ending in -ful

Rule Example
The suffix –FULL is always spelt grate + full = grateful, faith + full = faithful, hope + full = hopeful,
with one L, Careful, helpful, useful, beautiful (notice the"y" becomes "i")
Adding -ly: When we add -ly to Gratefully, faithfully, hopefully
words ending in -ful then we have
double letters

We also add -ly to words ending in 'e' love + ly = lovely, like + ly = likely, live + ly = lively, definite + ly =
definitely
When we add "all" to the beginning all + so = also, all + most = almost, although, always, almighty, already,
of words we drop the l alright (all right as two words is used in more formal English) altogether
(Note that altogether and all together do not mean the same thing)

The Suffixes -ance, -ence, -ant, -ent

Rule Example
Adding the suffixes -ant and -ent to words can create both
nouns and adjectives.
When used to create nouns, the suffixes -ant and -ent
mean a person or thing that has the characteristic of the
root word.
When used to create adjectives, -ant and -ent refer to a
person, place, or thing “that does” or “that shows” the
action of the word root, as in predominant, negligent, and
dependent.

The Noun Suffixes

Key Concepts
As you have learned, a suffix can be added to the end of a word root to change a word from one part of speech to
another.
Try to visualize the spelling of these nouns as you study them.
Rule Example
The suffixes -ion, -ice, and -ment are commonly convict + ion = conviction, prejudge + ice = prejudice,
added to verbs and indicate an action, a state of encourage + ment = encouragement
being, or a result.
The suffix -ity means “the state or the condition futile + ity = futility
of being a certain way.” It is commonly added to
adjectives.
When a word ends in a silent e, drop the e before fuse + ion = fusion, futile + ity = futility
adding -ion, -ice, or -ity.
The suffix -eer can be added to a noun to form a mountain + eer = mountaineer (one who climbs mountains)
new noun that refers to a person who performs an
action related to the original noun.
The suffix -ship can be added to a noun that intern + ship = internship (position held by an intern),
refers to a person to create a new noun that dictator + ship = dictatorship (rule by a dictator)
describes the office, status, or rank of that person.
The suffixes -tion and -tude may be attached to solus + tude = solitude, vocare + tion = vocation
word roots to indicate an action, condition,
process, or result.

The Adjective Suffixes

Key Concepts
The addition of some suffixes changes a word root to an adjective. When adding an adjective suffix to a word
root, keep the following suffixes and their meanings in mind. Then visualize each word to help recall the spelling.
Rule Example
The suffixes -ible and -able mean “able” or allow + able = allowable, vis + ible = visible, access + ible =
“capable of being.” accessible
In most cases, drop a silent e before adding -able practice + able = practicable, force + ible = forcible
or -ible.
The suffixes -ous, -eous, and -ious mean “of, full courage + ous = courageous, nutria + ious = nutritious
of, characterized by, like, or having.” They can be
added to words or word roots.
When a word ends in y, drop the final y before harmony + ious = harmonious
adding -ious.

The Verb Suffixes

Rule Example
The sound \¥t\ at the end of a verb is spelled -ate, as in
aggravate, conjugate, invigorate, and radiate.
The sound \n\ at the end of a verb is spelled -en, as in
enlighten, lengthen, and strengthen.
The sounds \ify \ at the end of a verb can be spelled -efy
or -ify, as in liquefy, petrify, and sanctify. The -ify
spelling is more common.

The Adverb Suffixes

Key Concepts
The suffixes -ly and -ally are most commonly used to create adverbs from adjectives. When adding these
suffixes, keep the following guidelines in mind. Visualizing the words will help you remember their spellings.
The suffixes -ly and -ally are most commonly used to create adverbs from adjectives. When adding these
suffixes, keep the following guidelines in mind.
Rule Example
Add the suffix -ly directly to the end of most relative + ly = relatively, unknowing + ly = unknowingly
adjectives to form adverbs.
Drop the final l before adding -ly to a word that ends full + ly = fully
in ll.
Drop the le before adding -ly to a word that ends in le passable + ly = passably
When a word ends in y, change the y to an i before unsteady + ly = unsteadily
adding -ly.
Use -ally to turn an adjective that ends in ic into an exotic + ally = exotically
adverb.
The suffixes -wise, -ways, and -ward also form some cross + wise = crosswise, side + ways = sideways, wind
adverbs. These suffixes mean “to” or “toward.” + ward = windward

Write subzero on the board.

Does anyone see a prefix in the word subzero?” (sub)
≈ Box the sub in subzero.
Does anyone know what the prefix sub means?”
(below)
So subzero means below zero.

Write warmly on the board.

What is this word? (warmly)

What is the root word? (warm)
What is the suffix? (-ly)
Let‟s look at the suffix –l-y for a minute.
What is the vowel in this suffix?” (y)
How is the y pronounced? (/ē/)
So the y is used as a vowel and it has one of the three pronunciations that the vowel y can have.
The suffix –ly is a useful one to know.

Write unexpected on the board.

Who can find the prefix in this word?” (un)
≈ Box the un in unexpected.
U-n is a prefix. How does it change the meaning of the root expect?” (Makes it mean not
expected)
The meaning of the new word is „not expected‟, so in this case adding a prefix turned the word
expect into its opposite, unexpected.
What is the suffix in unexpected?” (e-d)
The e-d tells us that something happened in the past. So, we can add both prefixes and suffixes to
words.” If you were to divide the root, between which two letters would you divide?” (x and p)
How many sounds does the x have? (2, /k/ and /s/)
X is a tricky letter. It is a good one to pay attention to because even though it is 1 letter, it has 2
sounds.

Write the prefixes on the board: dis, in, pre, re, sub, un. Circle dis, in, re, and un.
The four prefixes that I have circled (dis, in, re, and un) account for 97% of words with prefixes
in English that we find used in schools.
In other words, when a word has prefix, 97% of the time it will be one of these four.

What does the re in recall mean?” (again)

so recall means to call or to call upon again.

What about the prefix pre in preschool? (before)

How about un? (It also means not.)
Dis and un can both mean not.
So the same prefix can have different meanings.
The prefix in can mean not or in.
The suffix -ment is fairly common in English. It means „the action or process of‟.

Many words in English combine two or three prefixes or suffixes with a root to build a new
word.
Write unrelated on the board, The prefix un and the suffix –ed.
When the word ends in a silent e and we add a suffix that begins with a vowel, the e is dropped,
as in dine–dining.”

Separate the Words

1. unpacked = un + pack + ed
2. reproduced = re + produce + ed
3. unhappiness = un + happy + ness
4. defrosting = de + frost + ing
5. dishonesty = dis + honest + y
6. revisited = re + visit + ed
7. discredited = dis + credit + ed
8. mispronounced = mis + pronounce + ed

NOTE: Point out the dropped e in numbers 2 and 8. Point out the y to i change in number 3.

Extending the Pattern: Words ending in –ion

Write adoption on the board.

Put a box around the suffix –ion.

“Can someone pronounce this word for us?”

“The suffix in this word is –i-o-n. But when we divide the word by syllables, we would put our
slash between the 2 consonants, p and t.

That is why we often think of the suffix being –t-i-o-n. The suffix in this word is pronounced
/shən/

Did you get translate and concentrate?

What did you have to know about these words?

These words follow the Drop the Final e spelling rule.

What is the last sound in each of the roots?” (/t/)

Even though translate and concentrate end in an e, the final e is silent, so the last sound is /t/.

So, we just add the suffix –i-o-n to the root.

The suffix is really –i-o-n. If you know the root, you know the syllable begins with a t.
Write television on the board.

The root for television is televise.”

≈ Write televise on the board.

When we add –i-o-n to televise, we drop the e and just add the –i-o-n.
So, when a word ends in /s/ or /z/, the last syllable will be spelled –s-i-o-n.
Note: This is also true of roots that end in d or d-e.

Did you remember to drop the silent e before you added the suffix beginning with a vowel?
So, in words ending in d or s, the final syllable is spelled –s-i-o-n.”

Lesson 18, Activity H

Add the Suffix

1. precise + ion precision
2. transfuse + ion transfusion
3. collide + ion collision
4. include + ion inclusion
5. confuse + ion confusion

NOTE: Spelling the suffix –ion is tricky for students. We have presented the patterns that are
most frequent:

1. When the suffix ends in /t/, spell the last syllable tion.
For your information, one exception is the root vert (version, conversion, introversion).
 2. If the root ends in s or d, use –sion.

Additional Words for Re-teaching:

compete-competition, operate-operation, expect-expectation, examine-examination, oppose-
opposition, discuss-discussion, confess-confession, suppress-suppression, omit-omission,
expand-expansion.

Final C and Final DE, D, T

Rule Example
Final C before IAN magic ['mæjik] + ian = magician [mə'jishən];
When the suffix IAN is added to words like "magic, music ['myu:zik] + ian = musician, [myu:'zishən];
music", the combination CI is pronounced [sh]. politics ['politiks] + ian = politician [poli'tishən].
Final C is changed to CK picnic + er = picnicker; panic + y = panicky;
The final C is changed to CK to keep the traffic + ing = trafficking.
pronunciation of C as [k] before suffixes beginning
with E, I or Y.
Final DE, D, T decide [di'said] + ion = decision [di'sizhən];
In some cases, the final DE, D and T change to S or include [in'klu:d] + ion = inclusion [in'klu:zhən];
SS before adding the suffix ION.
extend [ik'stend] + ion = extension [ik'stenshən];
submit [səb'mit] + ion = submission [səb'mishən].

Prefix and Stress

When the prefix is stressed, it is often a noun; when the prefix is unstressed, it is often a verb.
PREFIX Prefix + root word = NOUN Prefix + root word = VERB

Stress the prefix Stress the root word

prevent, prepare, predict, precede,

pre– preview, prefix
prefer, pretend

per– permit perform, persuade, permit

product, process, profit, progress, produce, protect, propose, project,

pro–
project, program prolong, profess, promote

mis– mischief, misprint, misfit misplace, misquote, misread

 concert, contest, conflict, congress, confess, control, conduct, confuse,
con–
concept, content, confirm, consent, console

compete, complain, compare,

com– complex, compound
compose, compute

observe, obtain, obsess,

ob– object
obscure, obstruct

sub– subject, suburb, subway subtract, submit, subscribe

explain, extract, exhale, excuse,

ex– expert, exile, excerpt
exchange, exceed, exclude, excite

de– detail, defect, decrease deny, demand, defend

dis– discount, discourse, district discuss, distrust, disturb

agree, apply, admit, adore, afford, alert,

a– access, addict, anchor
applaud, approve, arrange, attack

Suffix Pronunciation
The un- prefix, as in unable and undefeated, is always pronounced with ʌ
The u of the suffix -ful is pronounced ʊ when the word is a noun, as in cupful. It is pronounced ə when the
word is an adjective, as in beautiful.
*If a word contains two or more suffixes that affect stress, the last suffix determines the stress within the
word.
*The suffix -ate is pronounced ɪt if the word is a noun or adjective, and eɪ̆ t if the word is a verb.
Rule Pronunciation Example
Suffix (-cious, -tious, -xious) /ʃəs/ Example: financial, initial, official, artificial,
beneficial, confidential

Suffix (-sian, -sion) / ʒən/ Example: Asian, fusion, version, confusion,

explosion, occasion
suffix (-geous, -gious) / ʤəz/ Example: gorgeous, courageous, religious,
outrageous
Suffix ist): The suffix -ist on a noun /Ist/ (- Example: artist, dentist, optimist, pessimist,
indicate a title, or a person who pharmacist
practices or is killed in something.
Suffix /aIZ/ (-ize): Using the suffix - /aIZ/ Example: critic - criticize, emphasis - emphasize,
ize on verbs. vandal – vandalize, sterile – sterilize, analysis -
analyze
Suffix /ʃəl/ (-cial, -tial) Example: financial, initial, official, artificial,
beneficial, confidential

Spellings of /sh/, ti, ci, and si

The Latin spellings of /sh/, ti, ci, and si, are frequently found in the seven suffixes.
Suffix Ti ci si
-al torrential commercial controversial
-an Egyptian clinician Russian
-ary Penitentiary judiciary
-ate negotiate appreciate prussiate
-ent quotient sufficient
-on exception coercion recession
-ous cautious delicious

si
si represents a voice/unvoiced pair: the unvoiced /sh/ as in recession and the voiced /zh/ as in division.
Notice that when a root word ends in t, the phonogram ti is formed in the derivatives. The parallel occurs in
words ending in c were the phonogram ci is formed and words ending in, which form the si phonogram in the
derivatives.
The voiced form is heard in each of the words because each of the roots ends with the voiced consonant
sound /d/ or /z/. The voiced sound carries into the voiced /zh/. All roots ending in the phonogram d will use the
Latin spelling si and are pronounced with the voiced /zh/.
Latin Roots elect + ion → election penitent + iary → penitentiary quote + ient → quotient
Using TI confident + ial → confidential different + iate → infect + ious → infectious
egypt + ian → egyptian differentiate
Latin Roots race + ial → racial office + iary → officiary suffice + ient → sufficient
Using CI physic + ian → physician face + ial → facial
Latin Roots discuss + ion → discussion controversy + al → progress + ion →
Using SI controversial progression
manse + ion → mansion
Latin Roots divide + ion → division allude + ion → allusion diffuse + ion → diffusion
Using the explode + ion → explosion conclude + ion → conclusion use + ion → fusion
Voiced
Sound of SI

Sh
sh never spells /sh/ at the beginning of any syllable after the first one, except for the ending -ship.
remember, it is the three Latin spellings of /sh/, ti, ci, and si, that spell /sh/ at the beginning of syllables after
the first one.
Rule Example
TI, CI, and SI are used only at the beginning of any con trac tion so cial ten sion
syllable after the first one. The Latin spellings of /sh/
are used only at the beginning of a syllable after the
first one. in other words, they may not be used at the
beginning of the word or at the end of a syllable
SH spells /sh/ at the beginning of a base word and at sh spells /sh/ at the beginning of a base word: she
the end of the syllable. SH never spells /sh/ at the sheep, share, sheik
beginning of any syllable after the first one, except
sh spells at the end of the syllable, fish, pub lish, fin
for the ending -ship.
ish ac comp lish
and in the ending -ship. fellow ship, hard ship, friend
ship, as sis tant ship

Prefixes and Stress, Noun or Verbs

Prefix + verb combinations usually Oversleep, understand, outlive, rewrite, overdo, undertake,
have second syllable stress. outperform, redo
The prefix + the root word function as a oversight, undertaker, refill, outsourcing, overdose, underwear,
noun, the first syllable is stressed repeat, outcome
 PREFIXES AND WORD STRESS
Prefixes are used in many English words, and they carry meaning.
Most prefixes are unstressed. (Stresses on suffixes are less predictable.)
When the prefix is stressed, it is often a noun; when the prefix is unstressed, it is often a verb.
Although these words are spelled the same, the difference between them is made clear in spoken
English by their stress patterns.

Stress and pronunciation on such noun-and-verb pairs

Noun Verb Noun Verb
Object object present present
Produce produce record record
Survey survey conduct conduct
Content content

List of beginnings and endings which do not change the stress of shorter word:
-able, -al, -er, -ful, -hood, -ing, in- /-im, -ise, -ish, -less, -ly, -ment, -ness, -ship, un-, under-

There are many longer word endings where the last letter is -y, in words with these endings, the
stress is placed on the syllable two from the end.
Publicity, nationality, photography, climatology, astronomy, chemistry

Prefix Meaning Example Prefix Meaning Example

anti- against Antifreeze non- not nonsense

de- opposite Defrost over- over Overall

dis- not, opposite of Dislike pre- before preschool

en- cause to Encode re- again Replay

fore- before Foretell sub- under Subzero

in- in Inside super- above superstar

in- not inconsistent trans- across Transfer

inter- between international un- not unhappy

mid- middle midnight mis- wrongly Mistrust

suffix Meaning Example suffix Meaning Example

-able, -ible can be done comfortable -ful full of Helpful

having
-al personal -ing verb form Jumping
characteristics of

-ate act on Activate -ion process of subtraction

-ed past tense Jumped -ive characterized by Active

-en made of Wooden -less without hopeless

-er compare Richer -ly describes how Warmly

-er, -or one who teacher, actor -ment process of payment

-est compare Richest -ness condition of Sickness

-y describes Sneaky -s, es plural dogs, buses