MTEL Communication Literacy Skills : Reading Practice Test

What is the implication of the verb suffix -fy?

1. Make or call into being

2. Cause to be or treat with

3. Act or condition

4. State or quality

The correct answer is: Cause to be or treat with

The suffix -fy is derived from the Latin -ficare, which typically means "to make" or "to cause to be.” This suffix is commonly used in English to form verbs that express the action of causing something to enter a certain state or condition. For instance, "amplify" means to make something larger or more intense, while "terrify" means to cause someone to feel fear. The correct implication of -fy focuses on the action of causing a specific condition or state. This is evident in the way the suffix is used to modify root words into verbs that indicate making something happen or treating it in a particular way. Understanding how prefixes and suffixes function in the formation of words is essential in grasping the nuances of the English language. In contrast, other provided options describe aspects that do not accurately capture the primary function of the suffix. The option that suggests "make or call into being" may imply creation but lacks the specificity tied to the action of causing a change or treatment inherent in -fy. The terms "act or condition" and "state or quality" focus more on the resultant state rather than the action of effecting that state, which emphasizes why the implication of the verb suffix -fy relates predominantly to