DETERMINE THE MEANING OF A WORD WITH -LY OR -NESS

Key Notes :

What are Suffixes?

A suffix is a group of letters added to the end of a word to change its meaning. Understanding suffixes can help us figure out what words mean!

Let’s learn about two common suffixes: -ly and -ness.

The -ly Suffix

The suffix -ly usually turns a word into an adverb. Adverbs describe how something is done. Think of them as adding how to a verb or adjective.

Here are some examples:

• Quick + -ly = Quickly (done in a quick way)
• Example: The rabbit ran quickly.
• Slow + -ly = Slowly (done in a slow way)
• Example: The turtle walked slowly.
• Happy + -ly = Happily (done in a happy way)
• Example: She smiled happily.
• Loud + -ly = Loudly (done in a loud way)
• Example: The band played loudly.

The -ness Suffix

The suffix -ness usually turns a word into a noun. A noun is a person, place, thing, or idea. The suffix -ness refers to a state or quality of being something.

Here are some examples:

• Kind + -ness = Kindness (the state of being kind)
• Example: She showed kindness to the stray cat.
• Sad + -ness = Sadness (the state of being sad)
• Example: I felt sadness when I heard the news.
• Happy + -ness = Happiness (the state of being happy)
• Example: Happiness is important for a good life.
• Weak + -ness = Weakness (the state of being weak)
• Example: His weakness made it difficult to climb the stairs.

Practice Time!

Let’s practice! Read each sentence and try to figure out the meaning of the word with the -ly or -ness suffix.

1. The sun shone brightly. What does brightly mean?
2. He finished the test easily. What does easily mean?
3. The flowers brought her joyfulness. What does joyfulness mean?
4. The teacher treated them with fairness. What does fairness mean?
5. The dog barked angrily. What does angrily mean?

Answers:

1. Brightly: In a bright way.
2. Easily: In an easy way.
3. Joyfulness: The state of being full of joy.
4. Fairness: The state of being fair.
5. Angrily: In an angry way.

Summary

Today, we learned about the suffixes -ly and -ness. We learned that -ly usually creates adverbs, describing how something is done, and -ness usually creates nouns, referring to a state or quality of being.

Let’s practice!