4. Building vocabulary

Content


4.2 Suffixes and verbs

The table shows the most common suffixes added to the base verbs.

e.g. verb + suffix → verb

SUFFIX EXAMPLE MEANING
-ise minimise, maximise cause to be
-ate duplicate, fabricate
-fy simplify, classify
-en shorten, worsen
  • -ate: demonstrate, generate, communicate, suffocate, illustrate, differentiate, liquidate, pollinate, active, medicate, invalidate, vaccinate, captivate, alienate, graduate, captivate, carbonate
  • -en: thicken, widen, strengthen, awaken, fasten, shorten, moisten
  • -ify: clarify, identify, modify, exemplify, justify, diversify, solidify, glorify, falsify, notify, purify
  • -ise: criticise, realise, modernise, optimise, stabilise, characterise, symbolise, visualise, specialise, apologise, memorise

Task 1

Complete the table by changing the adjectives into verbs by adding the suffix  -IFY. Then using some of the newly formed verbs in the correct verb form, complete the sentences 1-5.

ADJECTIVE VERB
simple
humid
solid
pure
false
intense
diverse
just
electric
specific
  1. The regulations that calculators may not be used in the examinations.
  2. The financial director was charged with the company´s accounts.
  3. Ministers must appear before Parliament and their actions.
  4. The two countries signed a treaty to their alliance.
  5. Hindus themselves by bathing in the River Ganges.

Task 2

Complete the table by changing the nouns into verbs by adding the suffix  -IFY. Then using some of the newly formed verbs in the correct verb form, complete the sentences 1-5.

ADJECTIVE VERB
peace
horror
glory
note
identity
example
code
mystery
null
person
sign
test
  1. Fever accompanied by a runny nose usually a cold.
  2. Recent inflation could the economic growth of the last several years.
  3. The building the style of architecture which was popular at the time.
  4. The essential function of the organisation is to best banking practice.
  5. It was difficult for the police to the angry crowd.

Task 3

Complete the table by changing the adjectives into verbs by adding the suffix -ISE (in American English -IZE is used). Then using some of the newly formed verbs in the correct verb form, complete the sentences 1-5.

ADJECTIVE VERB
real
modern
stable
visual
special
popular
fertile
final
human
legal
normal
social
personal
  1. Same-sex marriages have been in many states.
  2. An echocardiogram can accurately the motion of the heart´s walls.
  3. The company is investing 9 million to its factories.
  4. These measures are intended to the prison system.
  5. The school make every effort to the young children from disadvantaged families.

Task 4

Complete the table by changing the nouns into verbs by adding the suffix -ISE (in American English -IZE is used). Then using some of the newly formed verbs in the correct verb form, complete the sentences 1-5.

NOUN VERB
memory
critic
character
symbol
apology
optimum
economy
author
category
colony
crystal
harmony
hospital
  1. The lightening of the Olympic torch peace and friendship among the nations.
  2. A lot of companies are trying to by not taking on new staff.
  3. The garden has been designed to with the natural landscape-
  4. The prime minister a pre-emptive air strike against the rebels.
  5. It´s easier to a plan rather than to offer useful suggestions.

Task 5

Complete the table by changing the adjectives and nouns into verbs by adding the suffix -ATE. Then using some of the newly formed verbs in the correct verb form, complete the sentences 1-5.

ADJECTIVE VERB
medic
vaccine
captive
alien
carbon
origin
urine
liquid
active
invalid
valid
initial
  1. A lot of our medicines from tropical plants.
  2. The research findings do not the claims made by the manufacturer.
  3. The latest tax proposal will many voters.
  4. They were against yellow fever.
  5. The government has a programme of economic reform.

Task 6

Complete the table by changing the nouns into verbs by adding the suffix -ATE. Then using some of the newly formed verbs in the correct verb form, complete the sentences 1-5.

NOUN VERB
Example: demonstration demonstrate
generation
communication
illustration
differentiation
suffocation
culmination
consolidation
evaluation
location
  1. The new factory will a lot of jobs in the area.
  2. Their many years of research have finally in a cure for the disease.
  3. The police are still trying to the suspect.
  4. The incident the need for better security measures.
  5. The study will critically whether this technology is useful.

Task 7

Complete the table by changing the adjectives into verbs by adding the suffix -EN.

ADJECTIVE VERB
thick
awake
deep
short
tight

Task 8

Complete the sentences using the verbs formed by adding the suffix – EN to the following adjectives.

  1. The gap between income and expenditure is likely to n even more.
  2. I hoped that going to college might en my horizons.
  3. The fire might en the central tower, which would eventually lead to its collapse.
  4. The phone company threw in two months’ worth of free calls to en the deal.
  5. This toothpaste is supposed to n your teeth.