34professional English in Use

Suffixes
A)
Common suffixes
Suffixes change the class of the root word. For example, by adding the suffix -er, the
verb publish becomes the noun publisher. Suffixes can tell you if a word is a noun, adjective,
verb or adverb.
Suffixes for jobs:

-er
manufacturer webmaster
The two major manufacturers of processor chips are Intel and AMD.
-eer
engineer auctioneer
Greg is a software engineer, which means he writes computer programs.
-or
animator operator
He worked as a computer animator on Toy Story.
-ant
IT consultant IT assistant
She’s a computer consultant and specializes in e-commerce, data protection and IT
strategies.
-ian
technician electrician
A computer technician installs, troubleshoots and upgrades hardware and software.
-ist
typist scientist
Anyone who works as a typist may develop a problem with their hands.
Other common suffixes in ICT
Nouns
-ion, -ment, -ics, -ity
compression, management, robotics, electricity (activity, state)
Adjectives
-able, -ible (able to be)
programmable (keyboard) convertible (format)
-ful (full of), -less (without)
colourful, colourless (picture)
Verbs
-ize, -ise (to make)
synthesize (music — to make it with a synthesizer)
B)
Word families
It is usefull to know how to build up word families by adding suffixes. Look at these
examples:
Nouns Verbs Adjectives Adverbs

magnet, magnetism magnetize magnetic, magnetized magnetically
recorder, recording record recordable, recorded
digitizer, digitizing digitize digital, digitized digitally
Adding a suffix may change the pronunciation. Look at how the stress changes in these
words:
photograph photographer photographic photographically
C)
We love ‘wares’
The suffix -ware refers to products of the same type. In computing, software refers to
programs executed by a computer, as opposed to the physical devices on which they run -
the hardware. It is commonly used to form jargon terms or classes of software.
freeware: available free of charge, but protected by copyright; it differs from ‘free softwareʼ
which can be changed and distributed subject to licence
shareware: distributed similarly to freeware, except that it requires payment after a trial
period
malware: designed to infiltrate or damage a computer (e.g. viruses, trojan horses, spyware)
spyware: designed to monitor the actions of your comptuter and send this data via the Net
adware: devised to display advertisements; some includes spyware
groupware: enables a group of people connected to a network to work on the same project
1)
Which IT professionals from A opposite are described here?
1. a person who designs and maintains software applications

1. software engineer
2. a person who gives expert, professional advice
2. computer consultant
3. a person who uses graphics software to make or edit animated pictures
3. animator
4. a person who is employed to type letters, reports and other documents
4 . typist
5. a person or enterprise that produces goods in large numbers, using machines
5 . manufacturer
6. a specialist in the technical details of computers
6. computer technician
2)
Complete each sentence using the word in brackets and the correct suffix from A opposite.
1. IBM’s BlueGene is the most powerful supercomputer. (POWER)

2. Most library databases are accessible via the Internet. (ACCESS)
3. I’ll email my report to you as an attachment (ATTACH)
4. This book will show you how to computerize your small business. (COMPUTER)
5. An erasable optical disc allows data to be deleted and new data to be recorded on
it. (ERASE)
6. The growth of the Internet has increased the need for effective data security. (SECURE)
7. The combination of electronics and new textile materials has made it possible to
create musical jackets and smart shirts that can read our heart rate. (ELECTRON)
8. Bluetooth is a wireless technology designed to connect computers, mobile phones
and other devices, replacing direct cable links. (WIRE)
9. Aircraft flight simulation is used to train pilots. (SIMULATE)
3)
Look at the word families in B opposite and complete these sentences with the correct word.
1. From kitchen magnets to computer disks, magnetism plays a central role in the
technology of everyday life.
2. Hard disks are magnetic storage devices.
3. My digital voice recorder has a storage capacity of 2 GB.
4. Blu-Ray Disc is a new recordable optical disc format developed by nine electronic
manufacturers.
5. A video digitizer is used to convert analogue video into digital video files.
6. Sound and pictures can be stored digitally as on a CD.
4)
Look at C opposite. What type of software do these descriptions refer to?
1. software that transmits data about your Web surfing habits without your consent
1. spyware
2. also known as ‘try before you buy’ software
2. shareware
3. short for malicious software
3. malware
4. software that periodically pops up advertising material
4. adware
5. collaborative software
5. groupware
6. programs that you don’t have to pay for
6. freeware
“Do you still refuse to run pirated software?

34professional English in Use

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

34professional English in Use

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

34professional English in Use

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Suffixes

Suffixes for jobs:

Other common suffixes in ICT

Nouns Verbs Adjectives Adverbs

1. a person who designs and maintains software applications

1. IBM’s BlueGene is the most powerful supercomputer. (POWER)

“Do you still refuse to run pirated software?

You might also like