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 |
- The regulations that calculators may not be used in the examinations.
- The financial director was charged with the company´s accounts.
- Ministers must appear before Parliament and their actions.
- The two countries signed a treaty to their alliance.
- 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 |
- Fever accompanied by a runny nose usually a cold.
- Recent inflation could the economic growth of the last several years.
- The building the style of architecture which was popular at the time.
- The essential function of the organisation is to best banking practice.
- 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 |
- Same-sex marriages have been in many states.
- An echocardiogram can accurately the motion of the heart´s walls.
- The company is investing 9 million to its factories.
- These measures are intended to the prison system.
- 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 |
- The lightening of the Olympic torch peace and friendship among the nations.
- A lot of companies are trying to by not taking on new staff.
- The garden has been designed to with the natural landscape-
- The prime minister a pre-emptive air strike against the rebels.
- 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 |
- A lot of our medicines from tropical plants.
- The research findings do not the claims made by the manufacturer.
- The latest tax proposal will many voters.
- They were against yellow fever.
- 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 |
- The new factory will a lot of jobs in the area.
- Their many years of research have finally in a cure for the disease.
- The police are still trying to the suspect.
- The incident the need for better security measures.
- 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.
- The gap between income and expenditure is likely to n even more.
- I hoped that going to college might en my horizons.
- The fire might en the central tower, which would eventually lead to its collapse.
- The phone company threw in two months’ worth of free calls to en the deal.
- This toothpaste is supposed to n your teeth.