Suffixes 2

Suffixes are added to the end of words in order to change the word class. For example, from the verb 'to photograph something' you can make the adjective 'photographic', the nouns 'photographer' and 'photography' and the adverb 'photographically'.

In this case, there are two nouns: 'Photographer' is the person who takes a photograph. 'Photography' is the subject or activity of taking photographs. There are many suffixes which can be used to form nouns. Here is a selection of those with an indication of what type of noun they produce.


These nouns often refer to slightly abstract ideas such as states or processes, rather than to concrete objects and things.

-er, -or, -ian, -ent, -ant: a person who does something

photographer, interpreter
translator, inventor
electrician, politician
student, patient
assistant, immigrant


-ant (PERFORM) suffix (ALSO -ent)
(a person or thing) performing or causing the stated action:

assistant
participant
disinfectant
an expectant look
a defiant child


-er (PERFORMER) suffix (ALSO -or)
added to some verbs to form nouns which refer to people or things that do that particular activity:

a singer (= a person who sings)
a swimmer (= a person who swims)
a dishwasher (= a machine or person that washes dishes)
an actor (= a person who acts)


Alexander Graham Bell was the inventor of the telephone.

-ist: a person who specialises in an activity or area of study, or who is a member of a group with particular beliefs

artist, psychologist
feminist, communist


I would love to be an artist, but sadly I can't draw very well!


-ist suffix
used to form adjectives and nouns which describe (a person with) a particular set of beliefs or way of behaving:

Marxist philosophy
a feminist
a sexist
Compare -ite.



-ee: a person who has something done to him or her

interviewee, employee

I don't want to be an employee all my life. I'm going to start my own business and become an employer!

-ee (OBJECT) suffix
added to a verb to form a noun which refers to the person to whom the action of the verb is being done:

an employee (= someone who is employed)
the payee (= a person to whom money is paid)
an interviewee (= someone who is being interviewed for a job)


-ee (CONDITION) suffix
added to an adjective, noun or verb to refer to a person who is in that condition or state:

a refugee (= someone who has taken refuge)
an escapee (= someone who has escaped)


-hood: a state that is closely associated with a period of time

childhood, adulthood, motherhood

-hood
suffix
used to form nouns describing the state of being a particular thing:

priesthood
childhood/manhood
nationhood


-ology: a subject (often academic) of study

biology, psychology, criminology, sociology

Is sociology an Arts or a Sciences subject at university?

-ology suffix
the scientific study of a particular subject:

geology
climatology

-ological suffix

biological
technological

-ologist suffix

archaeologist


-ion: a state or activity

exhibition, institution
investigation, action

-ion (ACTION) suffix (ALSO -ation or -ition)
added to verbs to form nouns showing action or condition:

obsession
restoration
repetition

The police started their investigation last week, but they haven't found any clues yet.

-age: a state or process

shortage, storage

-age (ACTION) suffix
used to form nouns which refer to the action or result of something:

blockage
shrinkage
wastage
All breakages must be paid for.

-age (STATE) suffix
used to form nouns which refer to a state or condition:

bondage
marriage
shortage


-age (PLACE) suffix
used to form nouns which are names of places:

orphanag
evicarage

In some countries there is a shortage of water which means they can't grow crops and therefore many people go hungry.

-ness suffix
added to adjectives to form nouns which refer to a quality or a condition:

happiness
sadness
nervousnes
sselfishness
kindness

Happiness is good for your health, which is why some people say that laughter is the best medicine.