English Language Learners

Reference Guide
from the Writing Center
Affixes in English
There are two kinds of affixes in English: prefixes, which attach to the beginning of words, and suffixes, which attach to the end of words.
Understanding common affixes can help decode meaning or identify the part of speech to narrow in on the role of a word in a sentence. In
reverse, you can use common affixes to build words but, be careful, affixes cant attach to every word. The following chart of affixes has been
adapted from OGrady et al (119).
Changing Verbs to Adjectives
Affix Verb Adjective
-able To relate A relatable story
-ing To howl The howling wolf
-ive To abuse An abusive relationship
Changing Verbs to Nouns
Affix Verb Noun
-al To refuse A refusal
-ant To defend A defendant
-(at)ion To inform Information
-er To teach A teacher
-ing To shoot The shooting
-ment To judge The judgment
Changing Nouns to Adjectives
Affix Noun Adjective
-(i)al The president Presidential
-(i)an Italy Italian
-ic Pessimist Pessimistic
-less Penny Penniless
-ous Fame Famous
-ish Boy Boyish
Making New Adjectives
Affix Adjective New Adjective
-ish Green Greenish
In- Competent Incompetent
Un- Happy Unhappy
Changing Adjectives to Verbs
Affix Adjective Verb
-ate Captive Captivate
-en Hard Harden
-ize Modern Modernize
Changing Nouns to Verbs
Affix Noun Verb
-ize Energy Energize
Changing Adjectives to Nouns
Affix Adjective Noun
-ity Abnormal Abnormality
-ness Good Goodness
Changing Adjectives to Adverbs
Affix Adjective Adverb
-ly Happy Happily
Making Nouns with New Meaning
Affix Noun New Noun
Anti- Anxiety Anti-anxiety
Ex- Husband Ex-husband
Making Verbs with New Meaning
Affix Verb New Verb
De- Stabilize Destabilize
Dis- Obey Disobey
Mis- Identify Misidentify
Re- Write Rewrite