What is the function of suffixes in word formation?

What is the function of suffixes in word formation?

• A. Suffixes indicate a change of meaning unrelated to grammar.
• B. Suffixes change the part of speech or tense of a word, such as -ing for present tense or -s for plural.
• C. Suffixes only add to the suffix's own meaning.
• D. Suffixes have no impact on word form.

Answer: (B)

Suffixes are endings attached to a base word that change how that word functions in a sentence. They can signal a change in part of speech or show tense, number, or other grammatical features. For example, adding -s often marks plural, -ed indicates past tense or a past participle, and -ing forms a present participle or a gerund. Suffixes don’t just add their own meaning; they reshape word form and grammar, turning adjectives into adverbs with -ly or creating new forms like -ful from nouns. This is why suffixes are essential in word formation.

Suffixes are endings attached to a base word that change how that word functions in a sentence. They can signal a change in part of speech or show tense, number, or other grammatical features. For example, adding -s often marks plural, -ed indicates past tense or a past participle, and -ing forms a present participle or a gerund. Suffixes don’t just add their own meaning; they reshape word form and grammar, turning adjectives into adverbs with -ly or creating new forms like -ful from nouns. This is why suffixes are essential in word formation.