MTEL Communication Literacy Skills : Reading Practice Test

What are adjective suffixes typically used for?

1. To create nouns from adjectives

2. To modify verbs

3. To describe or modify nouns

4. To indicate a state

The correct answer is: To describe or modify nouns

Adjective suffixes are typically used to describe or modify nouns. When an adjective is formed by adding a suffix to a base word, it enhances the meaning of the noun it describes by providing characteristics or qualities. For example, in the word "happiness," the suffix "-ness" is added to the adjective "happy" to form a noun, which indicates a state related to the quality described by the adjective. While there are suffixes that can create nouns from adjectives or indicate a state, the function of adjective suffixes fundamentally revolves around their role in modifying nouns. This makes choice C the most accurate representation of their primary purpose.