What are adjective suffixes? 15 common adjective suffixes in English

What are adjective suffixes? What is the most appropriate way to use adjective suffixes in English? Let's have a look at some common adjective suffixes with PREP in the article below!

I. What are adjective suffixes?

What are adjective suffixes? Adjective suffixes are a group of letters added to the end of a word to turn it into an adjective. For example:

• The verb “understand” when added with the suffix “-able” becomes the adjective “understandable”.
• The noun “power” when added with the suffix “-ful” becomes the noun “powerful”.

For more information, please refer to the following articles:

• What are noun suffixes? A summary of common noun suffixes in English

II. List of the most common adjective suffixes

Let's take a look at PREP's list of the 15 most common adjective suffixes below!

III. Adjective formation in English

How can an English adjective be formed? Read the information below to find the answer!

1. Add a suffix after the verb

Formula:

Verb + adjective suffix = adjective.

For example:

2. Add a suffix after the noun

Formula:

Noun + adjective suffix = adjective.

For example:

3.  The differences between adjectives ending in “-ed” and adjectives ending in “-ing”

IV. Exercises on adjective suffixes with answers

Let's practice the following exercises to gain more knowledge about adjective suffixes!

1. Exercises

Exercise 1: Complete the sentence with the suitable adjective form

1. The candidate had the_____(suit) skills and experience.
2. The speaker ensured that her voice was clear and_____(audio).
3. The garden was filled with vibrant flowers, creating a_____(beauty) atmosphere.
4. The new product design was so_____(attract) to potential customers.
5. Robert’s_____(observe) nature allowed him to notice the small details

Exercise 2: Match the following words with the appropriate adjective suffixes to form the correct adjectives

Exercise 3: Choose the correct answer

1. The twins may look alike, but their personalities are quite_______.
   1. Different
   2. Difference
   3. Differentiate
2.  The museum displayed a vast collection of _______artifacts, offering visitors a glimpse into the rich and diverse past of the region.
   1. History
   2. Historical
   3. Historic
3. The professor provided _______resources for the students, including extra reading materials and online tutorials.
   1. Addition
   2. Additionality
   3. Additional
4. The smartphone has become an essential and _______tool, allowing people to stay connected, access information.
   1. Useful
   2. Usage
   3. Useless
5.  Following the safety guidelines is _______to ensure the well-being of all employees in the workplace.
   1. Important
   2. Unimportant
   3. Importance
6. I thought she was the most ______woman I’d ever seen.
   1. Beauty
   2. Beautiful
   3. Beautifully
7. Robert didn't seem very _______in what I was saying.
   1. Interesting
   2. Interested
   3. Interest

2. Answer

Through this post, PREP hopes you have gained an understanding of 15 common English adjective suffixes. By familiarizing yourself with these suffixes, you can greatly expand your ability to describe and differentiate various qualities. Let’s follow PREP to enhance your grammar knowledge and delve deeper into the intricacies of the English language! Stay tuned for more valuable tips and resources to improve your language skills.