Add Suffixes to Change Adjectives to Verbs

A suffix is a letter or a group of letters added to the end of a word.

Using a suffix lets us make new words.

For example: tight + en = tighten

The suffix -en is used to change many adjectives (describing words) into verbs (doing or action words).

For example: sweet + en = sweeten

Mum's tea was not very sweet. (adjective)

She put sugar in it to sweeten it. (verb)

The suffix -ify can also be used to change adjectives into verbs.

For example: simple + ify = simplify (the 'e' is dropped before the suffix is added)

The sums were quite simple. (adjective)

I was struggling with my sums so my teacher simplified them for me. (verb)

Let's have a go at some questions now and practise changing adjectives into verbs.