Word formation
In English there are many word endings (suffixes) that can be added to a word to change its meaning or its word class.
Verb formation
The endings -ize/-ise and -ify can be added to many nouns and adjectives to form verbs.
modern modernize
colony colonise
simple simplify
horror horrify
Adverb formation
The ending -ly can be added to most adjectives to form adverbs.
quick quickly
Noun formation
The endings -er , -ment , and -ation can be added to many verbs to form nouns.
play player
develop development
examine examination
Adjective formation
The endings -ity and -ness can be added to many adjectives to form nouns.
odd oddity
happy happiness
The endings -y , -ic , -ical , -ful and -less can be added to many nouns to form adjectives.
dirt dirty
atom atomic
grammar grammatical
care careful
hope hopeless
wash washable