| Suffix | Suffix Type | Vowel or Consonant | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| -acy | Noun | Vowel | state or quality | acy Example |
| -al | Noun | Vowel | act or process of | al example |
| -ance, -ence | Noun | Vowel | state or quality of | maintenance, eminence, assurance |
| -dom | Noun | Vowel | place or state of being | freedom, kingdom, boredom |
| -er, -or | Noun | Vowel | one who | trainer, protector, |
| -ism | Noun | Vowel | doctrine, belief | communism, narcissism, skepticism |
| -ist | Noun | Vowel | one who | chemist, narcissist, |
| -ity, -ty | Noun | Vowel | quality of | inactivity, veracity, parity, serenity |
| -ment | Noun | Consonant | condition of | endorsement, punishment |
| -ness | Noun | Consonant | state of being | heaviness, sadness, rudeness, testiness |
| -ship | Noun | Consonant | position held | fellowship, ownership, kinship, internship |
| -sion, -tion | Noun | Consonant | state of being | |
| -ate | Verb | Vowel | become | regulate, eradicate, enunciate, repudiate |
| -en | Verb | Vowel | become | enlighten, awaken, strengthen |
| -ify, -fy | Verb | Vowel | make or become | terrify, satisfy, rectify, exemplify |
| -ize, -ise* | Verb | Vowel | become | civilize, humanize, socialize, valorize |
| -able, -ible | Adjective | Vowel | capable of being | edible, presentable, abominable, credible |
| -al | Adjective | Vowel | pertaining to | regional, emotional, coastal |
| -esque | Adjective | Vowel | reminiscent of | picturesque, statuesque, burlesque |
| -ful | Adjective | Consonant | notable for | fanciful, resentful, woeful, doubtful |
| -ic, -ical | Adjective | Vowel | pertaining to | musical, mythic, domestic, |
| -ious, -ous | Adjective | Vowel | characterized by | nutritious, portentous, studious |
| -ish | Adjective | Vowel | having the quality of | fiendish, childish, snobbish |
| -ive | Adjective | Vowel | having the nature of | creative, punitive, divisive, decisive |
| -less | Adjective | Consonant | without | endless, ageless, lawless, effortless |
| -y | Adjective | Consonant | characterized by | sleazy, hasty, greasy, nerdy, smelly |
Suffixes are important elements of the English language. They are used to make new words and give base words different meanings. There are vowel suffixes and consonant suffixes. Vowel suffixes include endings such as -ed, -er, -es, -end, and -ing. Consonant suffixes include endings such as -s, -less, -ness, -ment, and -ly. Adding suffixes to words can be tricky to learn and master, but learning six basic suffix spelling rules will help you know how to use suffixes correctly. Keep in mind that there are some exceptions to each of the suffix rules.
Adding suffixes to some base words that end with a consonant requires doubling the last letter, but only in certain situations.
When a word ends in a short vowel sound followed by a single consonant, the last letter of the word will need to be doubled before the suffix is added.
| Base Word | Suffix | Final Word |
|---|---|---|
| fat | er | Fatter |
| flip | er | flipped |
| mud | y | muddy |
| shop | ed | shopped |
| swim | ing | swimming |
When a word has more than one syllable and ends with the letter "l," you will need to double the "l" when adding the suffix.
| Base Word | Suffix | Final Word |
|---|---|---|
| cancel | ed | cancelled |
| control | ed | controlled |
| propel | er | propeller |
| compel | ing | compelling |
| fulfil | ment | fulfillment |
The doubling rule does not apply to words that end in "w," "x" or "y."
The rule for dropping the final silent "e" in a word is based on whether the first letter of the suffix is a vowel or consonant.
When a word ends in a silent letter "e" and you are adding a suffix that begins with a vowel, then drop the final "e."
There are a few words that meet the criteria for dropping the silent "e" with a vowel suffix, but with which the "e" has to be kept.
There are a few situations in which the final "e" stays with a word when adding a suffix.
When the base word ends in the letters "ce" or "ge" and the suffix begins with the letters "a" or "o," the final "e" should stay.
You will also need to keep the "e" at the end of the word if it ends in "ee" or "ye."
Remember to keep the "e" if using the suffix -ly.
When you add the suffix -ful to a word that ends with an "e," keep the "e."
There are a few scenarios that require keeping the "y" at the end of a word when adding a suffix.
When a word ends with "y" and has a vowel before the "y," then keep the "y" when adding a suffix.
Another time to keep the "y" is if the suffix starts with the letter "i." Remember that a word cannot have two i's in a row.
There are times that the "y" at the end of the word has to be changed to an "i" in order to add a suffix.
When the word has a consonant before the "y" at the end, you will need to change the "y" to "i" before adding the suffix.
Not surprisingly, there are some exceptions to this rule.
When a word ends in "ie," change the ending to "y" when you add the suffix -ing.