Suffix

Definition

A suffix is a morpheme added to the end of a word to alter its meaning or grammatical function. Suffixes play a crucial role in both inflectional and derivational morphology, as they can change a word's tense, number, or form new words altogether. By attaching suffixes, we can modify existing words, create new ones, and convey different meanings and grammatical relationships.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Suffixes can indicate grammatical features like tense (e.g., '-ed' for past tense) or plurality (e.g., '-s' for plural nouns).
2. In derivational morphology, suffixes can change the word class of a base word, such as turning a noun into an adjective (e.g., 'beauty' to 'beautiful').
3. Inflectional suffixes do not change the core meaning of a word but modify its grammatical role in a sentence.
4. Suffixes can also convey additional information about the word, such as diminutive or augmentative meanings (e.g., 'cat' to 'kitty' or 'giant').
5. Some languages use a richer system of suffixation compared to English, allowing for more complex word forms and meanings.

Review Questions

• How do suffixes function within inflectional and derivational morphology?
  • Suffixes serve distinct functions in both inflectional and derivational morphology. In inflectional morphology, they modify a word's grammatical attributes without changing its core meaning, such as indicating tense or plurality. Conversely, in derivational morphology, suffixes can alter the meaning of a word or change its part of speech, enabling the formation of entirely new words. This dual functionality highlights the versatility and significance of suffixes in language structure.
• What are some examples of how suffixes can change a base word's grammatical category or meaning?
  • Suffixes like '-ness' can change an adjective into a noun (e.g., 'happy' to 'happiness'), while '-able' converts verbs into adjectives (e.g., 'read' to 'readable'). Inflectional suffixes also illustrate this concept; for instance, adding '-s' to a noun denotes plurality (e.g., 'dog' to 'dogs'). These transformations showcase how suffixes not only enhance the language but also provide clarity in communication by indicating various meanings and grammatical roles.
• Evaluate the role of suffixation in creating new words and expressing nuanced meanings within a language.
  • Suffixation plays a critical role in expanding vocabulary and expressing nuanced meanings by enabling the formation of new words from existing ones. This process allows speakers to adapt language to convey specific ideas or emotions effectively. For example, by attaching different suffixes to a root word like 'create,' one can generate 'creation,' 'creative,' or 'creativity,' each carrying distinct connotations. This flexibility in language fosters creativity and precision in communication while reflecting cultural evolution over time.

Related terms

morpheme: The smallest meaningful unit of language that cannot be further divided, which includes both prefixes and suffixes.

inflectional morphology:

A subfield of morphology concerned with the modification of words to express different grammatical categories such as tense, mood, aspect, or number.

derivational morphology:

A branch of morphology that deals with the creation of new words by adding affixes (prefixes and suffixes) to base words.