A clear understanding of common suffixes, or word endings, is essential. With these suffixes, you can transform a noun into a verb, adjective, or adverb and, therefore, significantly increase your vocabulary.

Example: Concept

  • Globe (nouns)
  • Global (adjective)
  • Globally (adverb)
  • Globalize (verb)
  • Globalization (noun)
Below are lists of common word endings for nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs. With a partner, think of two examples for each suffix:

Common Noun Endings (things)

-tion  -sion  -ence  -ance -ity -hood
 -dom -th  -age  -y -ship -tude
-ism   -cracy -logy  -ness -ment -let

Common Noun Endings (people)

 -er -or -ist  -ent
-ee -ic  -ian  -ant

Common Verb Endings

-en -ify -ise (ize) -ate

Common Adjective Endings

-ate  -ous  -al  -able -ible
 -ish -ant  -esque  -y -ic
-ical   -less -ive  -ly -ful

Common Adverb Endings

-ly  -wise
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