The suffix that denotes "in what manner" is -ly. This common English suffix is primarily used to transform adjectives into adverbs, indicating how an action is performed.
Understanding the Suffix for Manner
Suffixes are powerful word endings that attach to the root of a word, altering its meaning, grammatical function, or both. In English, the suffix -ly plays a crucial role in forming adverbs of manner. These adverbs provide details about the way an action is carried out, answering the question "how?"
How '-ly' Forms Adverbs
When appended to an adjective, -ly typically converts it into an adverb. For instance:
- An adjective like "bad" describes a noun (e.g., "a bad day"). Adding -ly creates "badly," an adverb that describes how something is done (e.g., "She sings badly").
- "Courageous" (adjective) becomes "courageously" (adverb), describing the manner of an action (e.g., "He acted courageously").
- "Happy" (adjective) transforms into "happily" (adverb), detailing the way an action is performed (e.g., "They lived happily ever after").
This suffix is fundamental for expressing the quality or method of an action within a sentence, making descriptions more vivid and precise.
Common Suffixes and Their Meanings
The following table illustrates the meaning and usage of several common English suffixes, including the one signifying "in what manner":
| Suffix | Meanings | Sample Words and Definitions |
|---|---|---|
| -ly | in what manner | badly, courageously, happily |
| -ment | action, result | movement, placement, shipment |
| -ness | state or quality (makes a noun) | kindness, shyness, weakness |
| -oid | resembling | humanoid, tabloid, hemorrhoid |
As shown, the -ly suffix uniquely indicates the manner of an action, distinguishing it from suffixes that denote results, states, or resemblance.
