Suffixes Worksheets - Free Printable

Problem Overview:

The task is to add one of the four suffixes (`-ess`, `-ee`, `-ism`, `-ive`) to each given word to create an adjective. The goal is to form new words and write them on the lines provided.

Suffixes Provided:

1. -ess: Typically used to form feminine nouns or adjectives.
2. -ee: Often used to form nouns that refer to a person who receives an action (e.g., employee).
3. -ism: Used to form nouns that describe a belief, system, or practice.
4. -ive: Commonly used to form adjectives from verbs or nouns.

Words to Modify:

1. lion
2. employ
3. pay
4. patron
5. social
6. colloquial
7. train
8. prince
9. detect
10. patriot

Solution Approach:

For each word, we will determine which suffix fits best to create a meaningful adjective or noun. Let's solve each one step by step:

---

#### 1. lion
- Adding -ess: "lioness" (a female lion)
- This is a valid noun but not an adjective.
- Adding -ee, -ism, or -ive does not form a meaningful word.
- Answer: lioness

#### 2. employ
- Adding -ee: "employee" (a person who is employed)
- This is a valid noun.
- Adding -ess, -ism, or -ive does not form a meaningful word.
- Answer: employee

#### 3. pay
- Adding -ee: "payee" (a person who receives payment)
- This is a valid noun.
- Adding -ess, -ism, or -ive does not form a meaningful word.
- Answer: payee

#### 4. patron
- Adding -ess: "patroness" (a female patron)
- This is a valid noun.
- Adding -ee, -ism, or -ive does not form a meaningful word.
- Answer: patroness

#### 5. social
- Adding -ism: "socialism" (a political and economic system)
- This is a valid noun.
- Adding -ess, -ee, or -ive does not form a meaningful word.
- Answer: socialism

#### 6. colloquial
- Adding -ism: "colloquialism" (the use of informal language)
- This is a valid noun.
- Adding -ess, -ee, or -ive does not form a meaningful word.
- Answer: colloquialism

#### 7. train
- Adding -ee: "traine(e)" (a person being trained)
- This is a valid noun.
- Adding -ess, -ism, or -ive does not form a meaningful word.
- Answer: traine(e)

#### 8. prince
- Adding -ess: "princess" (a female prince)
- This is a valid noun.
- Adding -ee, -ism, or -ive does not form a meaningful word.
- Answer: princess

#### 9. detect
- Adding -ive: "detective" (someone who detects or investigates)
- This is a valid noun.
- Adding -ess, -ee, or -ism does not form a meaningful word.
- Answer: detective

#### 10. patriot
- Adding -ism: "patriotism" (love for one's country)
- This is a valid noun.
- Adding -ess, -ee, or -ive does not form a meaningful word.
- Answer: patriotism

---

Final Answers:

1. lioness
2. employee
3. payee
4. patroness
5. socialism
6. colloquialism
7. traine(e)
8. princess
9. detective
10. patriotism

Boxed Final Answer:

\[
\boxed{
\begin{array}{ll}
1. \text{lioness} & 6. \text{colloquialism} \\
2. \text{employee} & 7. \text{traine(e)} \\
3. \text{payee} & 8. \text{princess} \\
4. \text{patroness} & 9. \text{detective} \\
5. \text{socialism} & 10. \text{patriotism} \\
\end{array}
}
\]