Vocabulary Development: The Suffix

The English language has developed over time by absorbing words from other languages. Although it is considered a Germanic language, it contains an abundance of words derived from Latin, Greek, and French, as well as from other languages. Word origins become especially important when you are faced with a word that you do not understand. If you can recognize even a small part of it (like the beginning or the ending), you have a better chance of figuring out what it means. As a result, the first step in developing a larger and better vocabulary is to learn about the small parts that make up words: the prefixes, the suffixes, and the root words. Improving your vocabulary helps you improve your reading comprehension, which helps you improve your standardized test scores. Improving your vocabulary also helps you become a better writer. Take a look at the lists below for meanings and examples of prefixes and suffixes. A suffix comes at the end of a word. "Affix" is the suffix of "suffix" and means to attach to a base (or in the case of words, to attach to a root). Consider other words ending with "affix" that you are likely to already know the meaning of: appendix, index, annex.

ACT/SAT Test Prep Vocabulary Development (prefix, suffix, root) Testing Strategies