What is the role of a suffix in a word?

A suffix plays a crucial role in the structure of a word by modifying its meaning or grammatical function. Suffixes are elements added to the end of a word that can create new words or alter the original meaning. For example, adding the suffix “-ing” to the verb “run” forms “running,” which indicates a different grammatical form, specifically the present participle. Similarly, adding “-ed” can change the verb tense to the past.

This ability to modify meaning or function is fundamental in word formation in the English language. It allows for the transformation of words into different parts of speech, such as turning nouns into adjectives or changing tenses of verbs. The other options do not accurately describe the function of a suffix, as a suffix is not a prefix, does not serve as an independent word, and while some suffixes can indicate tense, this is just one of many functions they can serve.