What is the function of a suffix in a word?

The function of a suffix in a word is to serve as an ending attached to a root word. A suffix modifies the meaning of the root by adding additional grammatical or contextual information. For example, adding "-ing" to the verb "run" changes it to "running," indicating an ongoing action. Similarly, adding "-ly" to an adjective, such as "quick," transforms it into an adverb, "quickly," which describes how an action is performed.

By functioning as an ending, suffixes can also help to form different parts of speech and can provide insights into the word's meaning and usage within a sentence. This aspect of suffixes is particularly important in language development and vocabulary building, as it highlights the role of morphology in understanding how words can change form and meaning through the addition of different affixes.