Answer the questions.

1. What is the difference in meaning between the suffixes -ful and -less?

2. What does the suffix -able mean?

3. To what part of speech do we add -able in order to form the adjective?

4. What do the suffixes -er, -or and -ion have in common apart from being noun suffixes?

5. Which part of speech uses all the following suffixes: -ify, -ise/-ize, -ate, -en?

Suggest Answer

1. They are essentially antonyms. -fut derives from the word full meaning 'a lot of' and -less means 'without'. For example, harmful means 'causing harm' and harmless means 'not causing harm'.

2. It is possible or it can be done. For example, treatable means it can be treated.

3. Normally to a verb. For example, treat (v) + -able, prevent (v) + -able

4. They normally refer to people, for example, doctor, technician, manager.

5. They are common verb suffixes.