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Additional Suffix Rules

Suffix Rule #3

Adjectives that end in l add –ly:

 

Base Word

 

cool                                           personal

casual                                       final

accidental                                 usual

occasional                                 brutal

 

 

Suffix Rule #4

Word ending in n add –ness:

 

Base Word

 

plain

sudden

mean

 

 

Suffix Rule #5

Words that end in silent e usually drop the e before suffixes that start with vowels.

 

Base Word

have                                          arrive

argue                                         change

come                                         mistake

force                                          guide 

write                                          combine

manage                                     fame

love                                           believe 

 

EXCEPTION:  Words that end in soft ce or ge keep the e before –able and –ous: changeable, pronounceable, courageous, outrageous, noticeable, manageable, peaceable, etc.

 

EXCEPTION #2: Keep the final e in dyeing, eyeing, and singeing.

 

Suffix Rule #6

Words that end in silent e usually keep the e before suffixes that start with consonants:

 

Base Word

late                                            grate

encourage                                 extreme

lone                                           definite

grave                                         pave

nine                                           absolute

use                                            hope

 

EXCEPTIONS: acknowledgement, argument, awful, duly, judgment, truly

 

 

Suffix Rule #7

Verbs that end in ie change to y before adding –ing:

 

Base Word

die                                             tie

lie                                              vie

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