Reference Centre
Language, when you need it
Search concise B2 First grammar, vocabulary, functional phrases and exam strategy — without leaving the course to hunt through past lessons.
Practise thisOpen cloze — grammar words under pressureKey word transformations — 10 extra itemsCommon errors — spot and fixExtra Practice
What it is
Building the right form of a word from a root. Suffixes usually change the word class; prefixes usually change the meaning.
Form
| Type | Pattern | Model sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | root + -tion / -ment / -ness / -ity / -ance | decide → decision · aware → awareness |
| Person noun | root + -er / -or / -ist / -ant | science → scientist · apply → applicant |
| Adjective | root + -ful / -less / -able / -ive / -ous | care → careful / careless |
| Adverb | adjective + -ly | successful → successfully |
| Negative | un- / in- / im- / il- / ir- / dis- / mis- + root | possible → impossible · understand → misunderstand |
Watch spelling shifts: -y → -i (happy → happiness); drop -e (create → creative).
Use it when
- A gapped sentence gives you a root word in capitals.
- You need to vary vocabulary in writing instead of repeating a word.
- You need a negative or opposite form.
Examples
- Their response was surprisingly unhelpful.
- The reduction in costs was significant.
- He was disqualified for a technical irregularity.
- Strength, growth and length all come from adjectives or verbs.
Watch out
unpossible
impossible
Roots starting with p/b/m take im-.
The company made a big grow.
The company saw big growth.
A noun is needed after an adjective.
Remember
First decide the word class the gap needs, then choose the suffix.
Quick check
- 1.ANXIOUS → She spoke with visible ___.
- 2.RELY → The data proved ___.