ESL Inventory

Verb Suffixes: Examples & Exercises

There aren’t so many verb suffixes, do you know them all? Here’s an exercise to test yourself.

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EXERCISE: Verb suffixes

Complete the sentences with the correct word, possible suffixes: -ate, -en, -ify, and -ize

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We need to _______ our team’s skills before the competition.

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Scientists are working to _______ the process of recycling plastic.

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The spectacular performance managed to _______ the entire audience.

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The teachers will ________ students on climate change this semester.

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The city council plans to ________ the public transportation system.

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He aims to ________ the device with a single button press.

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They will _______ the water to ensure it’s safe for drinking.

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The chef will ______ the sauce with a little honey.

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Harsh weather conditions can ________ the structure of old buildings over time.

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The new technology will ______ many of the company’s routine tasks.

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Was this too hard? Study the article below and try again.

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infographic showing verb suffixes with examples of formation and many verbs formed using these suffixes: -ify, -ize, -ate, -en
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Common Verb Suffixes

To make a word a verb, we can add special endings, known as suffixes. These suffixes change the meaning of the word and tell us that something is happening, is being done, or is becoming something.

1. -ify (to make or cause to become)

This suffix means to change something into a new state or condition. We use it when we want to say that something is made simpler, clearer, or justified.

Base WordVerb FormMeaning of the Verb
simplesimplifyto make something easier or less complex
clearclarifyto make something clear or easier to understand
justificationjustifyto give reasons for something

Examples:

  • Simplify: The teacher will simplify the explanation for us.
  • Clarify: Can you clarify your question, please?
  • Justify: She tried to justify her decision.

2. -ize / -ise (to make or become)

This suffix means to make something into a particular state or quality. It is used to express the idea of turning something into something else.

Base WordVerb FormMeaning of the Verb
realrealizeto become aware of something
organizationorganizeto arrange or put things in order
finalfinalizeto complete or finish something

Examples:

  • Realize: I didn’t realize it was your birthday!
  • Organize: She will organize the meeting tomorrow.
  • Finalize: We need to finalize the details by the end of the day.

3. -ate (to make or cause)

This suffix is used to express the idea of making or causing something to happen or change.

Base WordVerb FormMeaning of the Verb
activeactivateto make something start or work
liberalliberateto set free or release
captivatingcaptivateto attract and hold someone’s attention

Examples:

  • Activate: Press the button to activate the device.
  • Liberate: The soldiers were sent to liberate the city.
  • Captivate: His performance will captivate the audience.

4. -en (to become)

The suffix -en means to cause something to become a certain way, often related to qualities like size, strength, or time.

Base WordVerb FormMeaning of the Verb
strongstrengthento make something stronger
broadbroadento make something wider
deepdeepento make something deeper
shortshortento make something shorter

Examples:

  • Strengthen: The exercises will strengthen your muscles.
  • Broaden: Traveling abroad can broaden your horizons.
  • Deepen: The river started to deepen after the rain.
  • Shorten: You can shorten the meeting by skipping some parts.

Exercises on Verb suffixes

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EXERCISE: Verb suffixes (Round 2)

Complete the sentences with the correct word.

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They will _____ the house soon.

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They will _____ the building for Christmas.

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The loud thunderstorm seemed to _____ the little dog.

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We have to _____ our goals clearly.

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The school will _____ parents about any schedule changes.

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He tried to _____ his intentions.

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She wants to _____ her knowledge of languages.

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We had to _____ the meeting because of a power outage.

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Can you _____ the invoice by tomorrow?

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She plans to _____ the contract.

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EXERCISE: Verb Suffixes – Fill the gaps

Fill the gaps by forming the correct verb. Use the word given.

Example: Regular exercise can help ______  your muscles.

Find a verb of strong that makes sense in the sentence

Answer: strengthen

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We hope to the community with our work.

Make inspiration into a verb that make sense in the sentence. Conjugate if necessary.

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We need to the files before the meeting starts.

Make organization into a verb that make sense in the sentence. Conjugate if necessary.

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The chef his knife to prepare the vegetables.

Make sharp into a verb that make sense in the sentence. Conjugate if necessary.

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I need to the results by tomorrow.

Make analysis into a verb that make sense in the sentence. Conjugate if necessary.

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She suddenly she had left her phone at home.

Make real into a verb that make sense in the sentence. Conjugate if necessary.

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The teacher asked the students to the handouts around the room.

Make circle into a verb that makes sense in the sentence. Conjugate if necessary.

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The teacher will the students’ writing.

Make evaluation into a verb that make sense in the sentence. Conjugate if necessary.

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The plane the airport before landing.

Make circle into a verb that make sense in the sentence. Conjugate if necessary.

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We need to this document.

Make final into a verb that make sense in the sentence. Conjugate if necessary.

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Let’s the report before submitting it.

Make revision into a verb that make sense in the sentence. Conjugate if necessary.

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Feel like diving into more? Noun suffixes | Adverb Suffixes | Adjective Suffixes | Prefixes