Unit 4: Lesson 17 Suffixes (-ion, -ation, -ition) Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott 1

A suffix is a word part (affix) that is added to the end of a root word. Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott

Today we are going to look at the suffixes: -ion -ation -ition Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott

All three suffixes -ion, -ation, and -ition come at the end of a word and change a verb to a noun. Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott

Words with the suffixes -ion, -ation, and -ition usually tell about an action, a process, or result. Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott

To figure out the meaning of unknown words, you can use the word parts that you know and the context clues to help you. Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott

What else can you do if you get stuck on a word? You can look the word up in the dictionary. A dictionary will tell you how to pronounce the word, explain how the word is used, and give you a definition. Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott

Let’s look at the suffix: -ion Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott

EXAMPLE Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott

Please pay attention to the teacher. What does attention mean? We know that to attend means “to focus on or direct ones thoughts on.” The context tells me that attention is something I should do at school. Therefore, attention must be the act of focusing on something and being fully present. Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott

Let’s look at the suffix: -ation Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott

EXAMPLE Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott

We went to the graduation ceremony. What does graduation mean? We know that to graduate means “to get a degree or diploma.” The context tells me that there is a ceremony. Therefore, a graduation ceremony must be a ceremony where you get you get a degree or diploma. It’s the act or process of graduating. Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott

Let’s look at the suffix: -ition Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott

EXAMPLE Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott

The competition included all of the basketball teams in Mercer County The competition included all of the basketball teams in Mercer County. What does competition mean? We know that to compete means “to engage in a contest or strive to outdo another.” The context tells me that this word might have something to do with sports. The competition must be the basketball contest in which the team are trying to outdo one another. It’s the act, process, or result of competing. Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott