This month’s word of the month is suffix

Suffixes are letters that we can add to the end of a word. These letters can change the meaning of the word, or make the word into a different class of word. For example, the verb read can be made into the noun reader (someone who reads) by adding the suffix -er, and into the adjective readable (something that can be read) by adding the suffix -able. Understanding the meanings of common suffixes can help you guess the meanings of new words.

1. We can use -er for the person who does an activity. For example: write-writer; pay-payer; send-sender; employ-employer; work-worker; shop-shopper; teach-teacher. For example: “She’s a writer.”

Common suffixes

Here are some suffixes you already know!

Past tenses with -ed: work-worked; play-played.

Comparatives with -er: short-shorter; tall-taller.

Superlatives with -est: short-shortest; tall-tallest.