Category: Class

Suffixes

A suffix is one or more letters added at the end of a base word to make a new word.

The new word formed usually becomes a different word class from the original base word. For example, with the use of a suffix, a verb can be changed to an adjective or a noun. Similarly, an adjective or a noun can be changed to an adverb by the use of a suffix.

Common Suffixes in English

Noun Suffixes

Suffixes
Meaning
Example
-mentforming abstract nounentertainment, management, improvement
-istone whotourist, journalist, novelist
-ismbelief, doctrinesocialism, journalism, baptism
-sion, -tionquality or statediscussion, manipulation, generation
-shipquality or state, position heldleadership, membership, partnership
-domstate of beingstardom, martyrdom
-nessquality or stategreatness, willingness, madness
-ity, -tyquality ofcuriousity, honesty, majesty
-ance, -encestate or qualityimportance, assistance, brilliance
-acystate or qualitylegacy,accuracy, democracy
-alact or process ofsurvival, denial, removal
-er, -orone whoinstructor, operator, investor

Verb Suffixes

SuffixesMeaningExample
-ize, -isebecomenormalize,advertise, baptize
-enbecomestraighten, weaken, worsen
-atebecomeformulate, congratulate, activate
-ify, -fymake or becomeclarify, identify, certify

Adverb Suffixes

SuffixesMeaningExample
-wardin a certain directionupward, westward, wayward
-lyin what manner
something is
being done		greatly, loudly, highly
-wisein relation tolikewise, edgewise, crosswise

Adjective Suffixes

SuffixesMeaningExample
-ivehaving the nature
or cetain
quality of		active, aggressive, protective
-able, -ibleable to be done
or
able to be used		enjoyable, lovable, adaptable
-lesswithoutfearless, useless, worthless
-fulfull of a certain
quality		careful, joyful, painful
-ishhaving the quality
or similar to a
certain quality		foolish, bookish, yellowish
-ic, -icalpertaining todramatic, organic,historical
-ious,
-ous		characterized byreligious, famous, joyous
-esqueto show likenesscarnivalesque, picturesque, statuesque
-alrelated to a
certain thing		annual, cultural, spiritual
-yhaving the characteristics
of something		smelly, airy, dirty

Tips:

The spelling of the new word may be changed when adding a suffix.

a. For words with only one consonant and a short vowel sound, double the last consonant before the suffix.

base wordwith suffix
dropdropping
bigbigger
fat fatter

b. For words ending in two consonants, the suffix is usually added as is.

base wordwith suffix
jumpjumper
insistinsisted

c. For words ending in a consonant followed by a ‘y‘, we remove the ‘y‘ and replace it with an ‘i‘ before adding the suffix.

base wordwith suffix
beautybeautiful
angryangrier
sillysillier

Noun Clause as a Subject

Noun clause is a type of subordinate clause that serves as a noun in a sentence. It is fairly easy to spot them since they usually begin with certain subordinating conjunctions and relative pronouns.

A noun clause has multiple functions too. One of these functions is to act as a subject by constituting the action in a sentence. A noun clause as a subject usually comes immediately before the verb and at the beginning of a sentence.

Structure:

noun clause + verb [+ object/phrase/clause]

noun clause verb object/phrase/clause
Whoever made it through
the night		 gets the highly coveted award.
Why she ever married
that arrogant fool		 is beyond me.
Whether he is participating
in the conference		 is no concern of mine.

Tips:

a. Noun clause as a subject should not be separated from the verb with punctuation.

IncorrectCorrect
Whichever you choose, is fine with us.Whichever you choose is fine with us.
What excited them the most, is the possibility of working remotely.What excited them the most is the possibility of working remotely.

b. When a noun clause functions as a subject, it always takes a singular verb.

IncorrectCorrect
How bosses treat their subordinates are important signs of their prevailing company culture.How bosses treat their subordinates is an important sign of their prevailing company culture.
Exactly why they chose to take that train remain a mystery.Exactly why they chose to take that train remains a mystery.

c. That–clause

A noun clause as a subject that starts with “that” is totally acceptable. However, it doesn’t sound natural. In written English, many writers opt for “The fact that”.

That he remembers every single detail of the incident is incredible.
The fact that he remembers every single detail of the incident is incredible.

Test 724

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Noun Clause as a Direct Object

Noun clause is a dependent clause that functions as a noun in a sentence. These noun clauses can serve as the direct object of the verb.

Noun clause as a direct object implies that it is the direct recipient of the action of the verb. In this structure, transitive verbs are used.

Normally, noun clauses start with subordinating conjunctions such as that, how, what, whatever, when, where, whether, which, who, whoever, whom and why.

Structure:

subject + verb + noun clause

subjectverbnoun clause
Herevealedthat they were in cahoots.
Nobodyknowswhat he does for a living
Icouldn’t tellwhether it was authentic or not.

Tips:
Object noun clause is not separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma.

IncorrectCorrect
I can tell by your perky attitude, that you’d enjoy the show.I can tell by your perky attitude that you’d enjoy the show.
You must choose, which subject you prefer.You must choose which subject you prefer.

In interrogative sentences, do not place the verb before the subject in a noun clause.

IncorrectCorrect
Did they know who was I talking to?Did they know who I was talking to?
Do you like what is he doing?Do you like what he is doing?

China’s Economy a Ticking Time Bomb

B2 – Upper Intermediate

China is considered the world’s second-largest economy. With the recent economic crises that the economic powerhouse is confronted with, US President Joe Biden described its economy as a ‘ticking time bomb’.

On contrary, Chinese President Xi Jinping believes their country’s economy has “strong resilience, tremendous potential, and great vitality”.

Read this article to learn more about China’s economic problems.

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-66636403

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “ticking time bomb” mean? “US President Joe Biden described the world’s second-largest economy as “a ticking time bomb, predicting growing discontent in the country.” Use this phrase in your own sentence.
  2. What does “to ride a wave of something” mean? “For two decades, the sector boomed as developers rode a wave of privatization. But crisis struck in 2020.” Use this phrase in your own sentence.
  3. What does “meltdown” mean here, “The government, fearing a US-style 2008 meltdown, then put limits on how much developers could borrow.”? Use this phrase in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. In your own words, discuss China’s economic crisis.
  2. How do you think China’s economic crisis could affect the world economy?
  3. What are some economic crises that your country is facing right now and what do you think caused it.
  4. “A change of economic direction requires a change of political ideology.” Do you think China should consider changing some of its political ideologies? Talk about your opinion.
  5. “There could be a danger that Mr Xi is prioritizing ideology over effective governance, or control over pragmatism.” Share your thoughts on this.

Put your Phone on Airplane Mode

B2 – Upper Intermediate

If you are a frequent flyer, you have probably heard the cabin crew’s announcement to switch off your mobile phone or atleast put it on airplane mode for the duration of the flight. They expect the passengers to follow this rule without necessarily providing ample details for doing so.

Watch the video and be informed as to why our mobile phones should be on airplane mode when we are flying.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of the word “interference” in this context? “At least your special eyes would be able to see this if the sky wasn’t flooded with interference from routers, satellites, and of course, people flying who haven’t put their phones on airplane mode.” Use it in your own sentence.
  2. Define the phrasal verb “drown out“. “Since planes travel so quickly, the phones might find themselves much closer to a cell tower than expected; blasting it with a massive signal that drowns out those on the ground.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
  3. What does the phrasal verb “blot out” mean? “This leads consumers to pay for more bandwidth, pushing service providers to take over more of the radio spectrum, and eventually, send more satellites into the sky — creating a vicious cycle that could eventually blot out the stars.” Use this phrase in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the benefits of putting your phone on airplane mode when you are on a plane?
  2. What are the dangers of not putting your phone on airplane mode?
  3. Do you think airline companies should stop offering wi-fi connection on a plane? Why or why not?
  4. Do you put your phone on airplane mode every time you fly? Are there other situations where you do the same?

Child-Free Zones on Planes

B2 – Upper Intermediate

For some people, flying on a plane could be a stressful experience by itself. The fear of flying, missing a connecting flight, or misrouted luggages are some of the reasons for this anxiety. Apart from these, another reason a plane experience could be stressful is if you are sitting close to a disruptive child. A few airline companies have taken the initiative to launch child-free zones in their flights.

Let’s read the article and find out more about this “quiet zones” on the plane.

https://thepointsguy.com/news/child-free-flights/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the phrase “within earshot” mean?”I know how stressful it can be for the parents and how disruptive it can be for passengers within earshot.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. Define the word “shriek“. “One airline, though, has devised a plan to separate silence-seeking adults from the wails and shrieks that so often find their way out of a baby’s surprisingly strong lungs.” Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms.
  3. What is the meaning of the word “a pretty penny? “I’m kidding (or am I?), but my point is that unless you pay a pretty penny, flying — like life — has its inconveniences.” Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are child-free zones on a plane? Where can they be found and what is the passenger age requirement?
  2. Do you think child-free zones is a win-win solution or a form of alienation? Explain your stand.
  3. Should passengers pay extra to be in these quiet zones? Explain.
  4. Do you think it’s worth the added cost? Why or why not?
  5. Have you ever been disrupted by a child on a plane? If yes, how did you handle it?
  6. In your opinion, should there be child-free zones in other public places and transportation too?

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