Using Suffixes to Determine Word Meaning

Learning Goals

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

● Understand how suffixes alter the meaning of root words

● Understand how suffixes alter the meaning of root words

Key Vocabulary

Here are some words you should know that will make this lesson easier:

● Root– A simple word before affixes (prefixes or suffixes) are added. These are the basis of our entire word study, and a major word part.

● Affix – A prefix or suffix that comes before or after a root word.

● Suffix – An affix that comes after the root word. Adding a suffix can change the meaning of the root word. Here’s a quick example with the word, “freedom”:

○ Root word: free
○ Suffix: dom
○ Root word + Suffix: freedom

Since the suffix, “-dom” means “the state of being”, we can see how “freedom” means “the state of being free”.

Key Points

The test assesses these skills in three ways:

1. Identification ofthe suffix meaning without context. These questions just ask for the
meaning of the suffix.

2. Identification ofthe suffix meaning with context. These questions could give context in a
sentence or with a word.

3. Identification ofthe full word with context.

If context is included in the question, it could come in the form of a sentence or the root word with the suffix.

Example Question 1: Without context clues

Here’s an example of the first type of question

This question is asking you for the suffix meaning and we don’t have context clues to help us out.

You can approach this in two ways:
-Call upon your knowledge and memorization of suffix meanings.

-“Plug” this suffix into a word you are already familiar with. Example: “appendectomy” (which means to remove an appendix from a patient).

With these approaches in mind, let’s take a look at the answer options and understand which one is correct!

study of
The suffix for “study of” is “-ology”, like sociology (the study of people in groups)

surgical removal of
This is the correct answer! The suffix for “surgical removal of” is “-ectomy”.

state or quality
The suffix for “state or quality” is “-ate”. An example of this is the word, “affectionate”, the state of showing love or affection.

blood condition
The suffix for “blood condition” is “-emia”. An example of this is “anemia”, meaning lack of blood.

Let’s look at the second example now.

Example Question 2: With context clues

Here’s an example of the second type of question.

The sentence before the question serves as a context clue for the word “helpless”. This word is made up of:

-Root word: help
-Suffix: -less

These two word parts work together to form the word. Plus, the sentence gives us an idea of what the word could mean before we even look at the answer options.

You can approach this in a few ways:
-Call upon your knowledge and memorization of suffix meanings.

-“Plug” a different suffix into the root word. Example: “helpful” (giving or ready to give help) or “helper” (a person who helps). We can look at the difference between these words and “helpless”.

-“Plug” a different root word with the suffix, -less. Example: “hopeless” (without hope, feeling or causing despair). Understanding how these two words are connected by the suffix, -less, can help us answer the question.

With these approaches in mind, let’s look at the options and answer this question.

Something that
This option refers to the suffix, “-er”, as in “helper”.

Capable of
The suffix, “-able” refers to this definition, such as in the word, “helpable”.

Unable to/Failure to
This is the correct answer! This option is the definition of the suffix, “-less”. The baby bird was unable to help itself, so Danny brought it home.

Having the qualities of
This option is the definition of “-ful”, as in “helpful”.

Now that we’ve looked at a few sample questions, let’s understand the strategy behind this question type.

How do we identify suffix questions?

1.Study and memorize suffixes and their meanings.
Preparation is key. This is a great option, especially with questions that don’t have context clues.

2. “Plugging”the suffix into words you are already familiar with
If you need to define the common suffix, “-ist”, you could place it in a word you are already familiar with, like “chemist” or “artist”. Then, by understanding how “-ist” changes the meaning of “chem” or “art”, you can define it! A “chemist” is someone who creates chemicals, and an “artist” is someone who creates art. So, “-ist” means “someone who”.

(NurseHub Note: Our approach to these questions will depend on the information given in the question, but using a combination of both strategies will help us tackle these questions.)

Why do we need to know this skill?

Medical terminology uses different suffixes, which you’ll be required to know throughout your career in the medical field. Plus, in the English Language Usage section of the TEAS 7, you will be asked to identify the meaning of suffixes (and entire words with suffixes) in different questions.

With the strategy in mind, let’s go through some Sample Questions together!

Sample Question 1: Without context clues

Since we don’t have any context clues, we just need to look for the suffix definition for “-ful”. So, we can use two of our strategies:

-Call upon your knowledge and memorization of suffix meanings.

-“Plug” this suffix into words we already know. Example: “plentiful”, “bountiful”, “awful”, etc. So, if we know what the word “plenty” means, how does “-ful” change its meaning?

Now let’s go back to our answer options.

Action, process or state
The suffix for “Action, process, or state” is “-ance”, like in the word “assistance”.

Very small
The suffix for “very small”, is “-cule” or “-ling”, like in the terms “molecule” or “sapling”.

One who, that, or which
The suffix for “one who, that, or which” is “-ist”, just like a “dentist”.

Full of
The suffix for “full of” is “-ful”. This is the correct answer!

Sample Question 2: Without context clues

Again, we don’t have any context clues in this question. So, we can use two of our strategies:

-Call upon your knowledge and memorization of suffix meanings.

-“Plug” this suffix into words we already know. Example: “attitude”, “platitude”, “altitude”, etc.

(NurseHub Note: When we don’t have context clues in the question, employing this second strategy is a great way to create context ourselves to help us answer the question.)

Let’s use these strategies to answer this question!

In the direction of
The suffix for “in the direction of” is “-ward”, like in the word, “eastward”.

State or condition of
The suffix for “state or condition of” is “-tude”. This is the correct answer!

Law
The suffix for “law” is “-nomy”, like how “autonomy” is to rule one’s self.

Causing or making
The suffix for “causing or making” is “-ive”, as used in the word, “exhaustive”.

Before we move on to the next question, let’s look at a quick review regarding the second answer option of this question: “state or condition of” or “quality”. You will likely see questions about this suffix on the exam.

● Multiple suffixes share this same definition. Here are some examples:

● Each suffix is only used with certain word parts. Although they all mean “state, condition, or quality of”, they aren’t interchangeable!

● It’s best to memorize them.

● Don’t worry: the test will not try to trick you with multiple answer options with the same
definition. That would be too tricky!

Sample Question 3: With context clues

For this question, we have context clues to help us out! Now, we can use three of our strategies:

-Call upon your knowledge and memorization of suffix meanings. If you already know what the suffix means, you can answer this question and move on.

-“Plug” this suffix into words we already know. Some examples include “psychology” and “pathology”.

-Use our context clues from the sentence. Pay close attention to the word “learn” in the sentence. The way it’s used in the sentence shows us that neurology is something that can be learned. Using this word, you can already eliminate the options: “making causing” and “relating to, suited for, capable of” because these aren’t necessarily things that can be learned.

Let’s use these strategies to answer this question!

Relating to, suited for, capable of
This is the definition of the suffix, “-ile”, such as the word “juvenile”.

System, manner, condition, characteristic
This is the definition of “-ism”, as used in the word, “realism”.

Making, causing
This is the definition of “-fic”, like in the word “scientific”.

Study, science, theory of
This is the correct answer! “Study, science, theory of” is the suffix definition of “-logy”.

(NurseHub Note: Did you notice how the sentence helped us answer this question? Since the word “learn” was included, we could figure out that neurology is something that can be learned or studied.)

Let’s look at another question with context clues next.

Sample Question 4: With context clues

Again, we have a sentence with the word “nervous” to help us out. We can also use three of our strategies:

-Call upon your knowledge and memorization of suffix meanings. If you already know what the suffix means, you can answer this question and move on.

-“Plug” this suffix into words we already know. Some examples include “anonymous”, “fabulous”, “disastrous”, etc

-Use our context clues from the sentence. What does “nervous” mean in the context in this sentence? What does it mean to be “nervous”?

With these things in mind, let’s answer this question.

Like, apt, tending to
This is the definition of the suffix, “-some”, such as the word “worrisome”. Although “worrisome” would technically work in the context of the sentence, it isn’t the correct answer for the word, “nervous”.

Full of, having
This is the correct answer! “Full of, having” is the definition of “-ous”. You can think of the word “nervous” as being full of nerves.

Nature of, quality of
This is the definition of the suffix, “-ite”, like in the word “dynamite”.

State of, act, process, rank
This is the definition of the suffix, “-ure”, as used in the word, “literature”. You can think of this as “the rank or process” of being literate.

Great job! Let’s use our strategies to answer another sample question.

Sample Question 5: With context clues

Since we have a sentence in this question as well, we can use its context to answer the question. We have a total of three strategies that we can use:

-Call upon your knowledge and memorization of suffix meanings.

-“Plug” this suffix into words we already know. Some examples include “superstition”, “position”, “hydration”, etc.

-Use our context clues from the sentence. If tickets are not sold, the event will be canceled. We know that this word is similar to “cancellation”.

Now, let’s answer the question!

Order, condition, quality
This is the definition of the suffix, “-hood”, such as the word “adulthood” or “childhood”.

A thing connected with or belonging to
This is the definition of the suffixes, “-id/-ide”, as used in the word, “fluid”.

Act, result, or state of
This is the definition of the suffix, “-tion”. A cancellation is the act of being canceled. This is the correct answer!

Origin, nature, resembling
This is the definition of the suffix, “-ish”, as used in the word, “childish”. So, if someone is being “childish”, they are resembling a child.

Great job going through these Sample Questions! Now, let’s wrap up this lesson with a review of the key points.

Review of Key Points

-A suffix is an affix added to the end of a root word to change or alter its meaning.

-You can use three different strategies with these questions:

-First, you can study and memorize suffixes. This is very important, especially as some suffixes might not be as familiar as others.

-Next, you can plug the suffix into words we are already familiar with.

-Lastly, if your sentence has context clues in the form of a sentence, you can use those to your advantage! The sentence’s context can help you understand the meaning of the suffix in question.

Keeping a list of common root words, suffixes, and other affixes will help you recognize them more easily. Here’s a list of common suffixes to study for the exam, as well as all of the suffixes used in this lesson!