suffix -ive

Meanings

1. 1suffix

   Added to verbs to make adjectives meaning tending to do the action or having that function.

   Grammar: Attaches to a verb to form an adjective: attract + ive → attractive.

   Patterns

   • verb + -ive
   • an -ive quality

   She has a very creative approach to problem solving.

   The company hired an attractive candidate for the role.

2. 2suffix

   Added to nouns to make adjectives meaning relating to or connected with that thing.

   Grammar: Attaches to a noun to form an adjective: effect + ive → effective.

   Patterns

   • noun + -ive
   • an -ive effect

   The new law was effective from January.

   The medicine had a powerful active ingredient.

Common combinations

highly creative

The team is highly creative and full of new ideas.

effective from

The changes are effective from next Monday.

an active role

She plays an active role in the local community.

attractive offer

They made him an attractive offer to stay.

Synonyms and how they differ

-ous

Also makes adjectives, but often describes a quality rather than a tendency: famous means 'well known', not 'tending to fame'.

-ful

Means 'full of' a quality: careful means 'full of care', while active means 'tending to act'.

Commonly confused: suffix -ive or -ity?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “suffix -ive”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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