Grammar: Verb Suffix -EN

Turn Adjectives & Nouns into Verbs!

Did you know you can add -EN to some adjectives and nouns to create verbs? This is a powerful and useful suffix in English. It often means “to make” or “to become” something.

In this post, we’ll look at how this suffix works and give you plenty of examples to help you use it correctly.

🔤 What Does the Suffix -EN Mean?

The -EN suffix is added to certain adjectives and nouns to form verbs. These new verbs usually describe a change in state — something becoming or being made a certain way.

✅ Adjective ➡ Verb

When added to an adjective, -EN means “to make” the quality stronger or more true.

📌 Examples in sentences:

• We need to widen the road.
• The days shorten in winter.
• Please tighten the lid.
• Clouds began to darken the sky.

✅ Noun ➡ Verb

Some nouns can also take the -EN suffix to form verbs, often with the meaning “to make more of that quality.”

📌 Examples in sentences:

• We need to strengthen the structure.
• They want to lengthen the school day.
• Meditation can deepen your focus.

⚠️ Not All Adjectives or Nouns Use -EN

Unfortunately, you can’t add -EN to every adjective or noun. For example:

• ❌ beautyen (instead: beautify)
• ❌ smarten (instead: smart is already an adjective and verb)

If you’re unsure, check a dictionary to see if the verb form exists.

🧠 Practice Time!

Choose the correct -EN verb to complete each sentence:

1. The coach told us to ______ our focus.
2. You should ______ your grip on the handle.
3. Can we ______ the meeting by 30 minutes?
4. The medicine helped to ______ the pain.
5. The sunset began to ______ the sky.

Answers:

1. deepen
2. tighten
3. lengthen
4. lessen
5. darken

📝 Summary

The -EN suffix:

• Turns adjectives and nouns into verbs
• Means “to make” or “to become”
• Is used with certain words, not all

Learning how to use -EN verbs can help you express change and transformation clearly in English!