The suffixes -ery, -ary, and -ory are all commonly used in English to form nouns and adjectives, often related to a place, collection, state, or function. Each suffix has distinct connotations and uses, although they can overlap in some contexts. Let’s break them down:
1. Suffix -ery
The suffix –ery typically forms nouns and denotes:
- A place associated with a specific activity or thing.
- A collection or group of things.
- A quality or condition related to the root word.
Examples:
- Bakery (a place where baked goods are made or sold)
- Bravery (the quality of being brave)
- Robbery (the act of robbing)
- Slavery (the state of being a slave)
- Winery (a place where wine is produced)
In these cases, -ery turns the root word into a noun that describes either a location, an action, or a state.
2. Suffix -ary
The –ary suffix is used to form both adjectives and nouns, with the following key uses:
- Adjectives: Denotes something related to, belonging to, or connected with the root word.
- Nouns: Refers to a person or thing that has a specific role or is connected to a particular activity or object.
Examples as Adjectives:
- Dictionary (pertaining to a collection of words)
- Customary (related to tradition or custom)
- Evolutionary (relating to evolution)
- Contrary (opposite in nature or direction)
Examples as Nouns:
- Secretary (a person who performs administrative tasks)
- Revolutionary (a person involved in or advocating a revolution)
- Missionary (a person sent on a religious mission)
3. Suffix -ory
The -ory suffix is primarily used to form adjectives or nouns that refer to a place, function, or condition related to the root word. Like -ary, it often refers to a role, function, or characteristic.
Examples as Adjectives:
- Oralitory (relating to speech or the art of speaking)
- Exploratory (related to exploration or investigating)
- Inventory (related to the list of items in stock, or the action of keeping such a list)
Examples as Nouns:
- Factory (a building or group of buildings where goods are manufactured)
- Laboratory (a place for scientific experiments)
- Memory (the process of remembering or the storage of information)
Key Differences and Uses
- -ery: Often denotes a place or condition associated with a specific activity (e.g., bakery, slavery, robbery). It may also refer to a collection or a set (e.g., jewelry).
- -ary: Can form both adjectives and nouns. It often refers to things related to or associated with the root word, particularly when describing a function or a place (e.g., library, revolutionary, voluntary).
- -ory: Similar to -ary, but often more specific to functions, conditions, or places. It is used more commonly for describing the characteristics of an object or entity (e.g., auditory, exploratory, factory).
Summary
- -ery: Place or activity (e.g., bakery, robbery).
- -ary: Related to or belonging to something (e.g., evolutionary, dictionary) or a person performing a role (e.g., secretary, missionary).
- -ory: Place or function (e.g., factory, laboratory), or denoting a characteristic (e.g., auditory, exploratory).
Each of these suffixes helps to modify the meaning of the base word, either by describing a location, a state, or a specific function, and can apply to both tangible and abstract concepts.