|
|
 #2 (permalink) Mon Aug 02, 2010 18:25 pm -ies |
|
|
Hello Solomon,
I don't know a special name for the suffix, but it is usually used when you need to add an -s to a word ending in a consonant then a 'y'. The rule is that the 'y' is removed and the -ie replaces it before the 's' is added to make the word plural (or a different conjugation of the tense, as in I study / he studies).
As you have identified:
baby > babies
study > studies
Also:
fly > flies
party > parties
ruby > rubies
However Yankee, > yankees... you didn't quite get the spelling of that one. :-)
_________________
Cheers m' dears! |
|
Beeesneees
Language Coach
Joined: 08 Apr 2010
Posts: 20433
Location: UK, born and bred
|
|
| #3 (permalink) Tue Aug 03, 2010 7:38 am -ies |
|
|
| Solomon_13000 wrote: |
Studies
Babies
Yankies
What do we call the suffix "-ies" and when do we use them? |
Hi Solomon,
As has been explained above, 'ies' is concerned with spelling rules and in particular with the plural of words that end in 'y' following a consonant but this isn't a suffix. A suffix is an ending added to a word as for example: slow (adjective) slow + ly (adverb)
hard (adjective) hard + ship (noun) wonder (noun) wonder + ful (adjective). As you can see, 'ly' 'ship' 'ful' are examples of a suffix.
Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple |
|
Alan
Co-founder
Joined: 27 Sep 2003
Posts: 14461
Location: UK
|
 |
|
| wind down (in buisiness) | use of "street level" |
