Possessive nouns show ownership or a direct connection.

For
What Are Suffixes in English? Definition and most singular nouns, you can show the possessive case by
adding the suffix –’s. Plural nouns that already end in s can
Examples add just the apostrophe (’) to become possessive.
Matt Ellis
Jacob’s parents
the students’ rooms
Keep in mind that possessive nouns are different
from possessive pronouns and adjectives, which do not use
suffixes.
Reflexive pronouns
Reflexive pronouns like myself or themselves use the suffix –
Suffixes are letters added to the end of a base word to change self for the singular and –selves for the plural.
its conjugation, word type, or other grammar properties like I gave myself a treat.
plurality. For example, take the noun strength: You can add the They pushed themselves as hard as they could.
suffix –s to make it plural (strengths) or the suffix –en to Comparatives and superlatives
change it into a verb (strengthen). You can then add the suffix Comparative and superlative adjectives also use suffixes.
–ed to make that verb past tense (strengthened). Comparatives, which compare only two things, often use the
Suffixes play a major role in English, not only in grammar, but suffix –er; superlatives, which indicate the highest degree of
also in writing and reading comprehension. In this guide, we something among everything in a category, often use the suffix
explain the rules and share examples of the most common –est.
suffixes in English. But first, let’s take a deeper look at I’m stronger than my brother, but the strongest in the family is
what suffix means. our grandmother.
What are suffixes? Not all adjectives use these suffixes. Adjectives of two or more
Suffixes and prefixes make up a group called affixes, which syllables use the adverbs more and most instead of adding
are morphemes added to a base word to modify its meaning. suffixes. If a two-syllable adjective ends in –y, the y is dropped
Suffixes are added to the end of a word, while prefixes are and the suffixes –ier or -iest are used instead.
added to the beginning, Changing word types (parts of speech)
In English, the most common prefixes and suffixes are usually Most of the suffixes in English are used to show parts of
one or two syllables long (although the suffix -ology is three). speech, or word types. Frequently, you can add different
The suffixes –s and –’s are not even one complete syllable; suffixes to the same base word to change its type. For
they simply add an ess sound to the end of a word. example, let’s look at different suffixes added to the
While both suffixes and prefixes help to expand your adjective quick:
vocabulary and writing skills, only suffixes are used quick [adjective]
for grammatical purposes, like conjugating verbs or pluralizing quickness [noun]
nouns. quicken [verb]
When to use a suffix quickly [adverb]
Verb conjugation Ordinal numbers
Suffixes are used in the conjugation of regular verbs. For Suffixes are a necessary part of writing ordinal numbers
example, adding -s or –es to a verb shows that it’s third correctly. If you’re showing something’s position in a series—
person, singular, and present tense. Adding –ed to a verb such as first, second, or third—in informal writing you can add
shows that it’s past tense. a suffix to the number instead of spelling it out.
I work downtown. first -> 1st
She works downtown. second -> 2nd
They worked downtown. third -> 3rd
However, you can’t use suffixes with every verb. For Inflectional vs. derivational suffixes
conjugation, irregular verbs usually rely on unique spellings There are two types of suffixes: inflectional and derivational.
rather than standard suffixes. Don’t let those big words scare you—it’s actually quite simple.
Showing plurality Inflectional suffixes are used for grammatical purposes. These
To create plural nouns, most of the time you add an –s or – include all the word endings for verb conjugation, such as –
es to show that you’re referring to more than one of a noun. ing and –ed; the additions for nouns, such as the plural –s; the
My cat is all I need. [one cat] possessive –’s; and the reflexive –self and –selves for
Ten cats are not enough! [more than one cat] pronouns. The suffixes for comparative and superlative
Just like with verbs, be careful with irregular plural nouns that adjectives (-er and –est, respectively) also belong to this
use unique spellings for plurality. For example, the plural group.
of child is not childs; it’s children. Derivational suffixes are used to change word types, such as
Showing possession changing a noun to a verb or an adjective to an adverb. Once
you understand derivational suffixes, you’ll often be able to tell artist, colonist, communist
a word’s part of speech by its ending, even if it’s your first time -ity, -ty
seeing it. rarity, nationality, beauty
Examples of suffixes in English: Inflectional -logy, -ology
Suffixes for regular verb conjugations psychology, biology, terminology
-s, -es, -ies -ment
first-person singular for the simple present tense agreement, merriment, statement
grows, passes, carries -ness
-ing sweetness, darkness, loveliness
for present participles and to create gerunds -ship
going, swimming, sleeping internship, kinship, citizenship
-ed, -d, -ied -tion, -sion, -ation, -ion
for the simple past tense and past participles animation, extension, suspicion
worked, liked, replied Suffixes for adjectives
Suffixes for noun and pronoun grammar -able, -ible
-s, -es, -ies comfortable, unstoppable, edible
the plural form of regular nouns -al
chairs, lunches, puppies personal, coastal, optimal
-’s, -esque
the possessive form of nouns novelesque, picturesque, Kafkaesque
school’s, India’s, humanity’s -ful
-self, -selves wonderful, beautiful, colorful
creates reflexive pronouns that refer back to the subject -ic, -ical
myself, ourselves, oneself basic, atomic, clinical
Suffixes for comparative and superlative -ish
-er, -ier stylish, brutish, childish
the comparative form of adjectives for comparing two things -ive
harder, faster, stronger creative, progressive, vindictive
-est, -iest -less
the superlative form of adjectives for showing the top within a harmless, worthless, timeless
category -like
biggest, latest, scariest catlike, warlike, guitarlike
Examples of suffixes in English: Derivational -ous, -ious
Suffixes for verbs rigorous, various, disastrous
-ate -y
congratulate, enunciate, regulate hairy, funny, nerdy
-en Suffix for adverbs
strengthen, brighten, awaken -ly, -ily
-ify, -fy slowly, carefully, happily
electrify, liquify, testify Suffixes FAQs
-ize (-ise in British English) What are suffixes?
demonize, legalize, neutralize Suffixes are one or more letters added to the end of a base
Suffixes for nouns word to change its conjugation, word type, or other grammar
-acy, -cy properties like plurality. For example, you can add the suffix -
normalcy, privacy, delicacy s to the noun strength to make it plural (strengths) or add the
-al suffix –en to turn it into a verb (strengthen).
betrayal, denial, tribunal What are the different kinds of suffixes?
-ance, -ence There are two different kinds of suffixes: inflectional and
ambiance, correspondence, maintenance derivational. Inflectional suffixes deal with grammar, such as
-ant verb conjugation or plurality. Derivational suffixes change the
defendant, hydrant, coolant parts of speech, such as adding –ment to the verb pay to make
-er, -or the noun payment.
player, actor, baker When should you use a suffix?
-ism Aside from changing the parts of speech, suffixes are used
minimalism, liberalism, capitalism frequently in grammar. We use suffixes to show the plural or
-ist possessive forms of nouns, conjugate verb tenses, and
demonstrate the comparative and superlative forms of
adjectives.