Verbs with the Suffix -EN

The suffix -EN in English often turns adjectives or nouns into verbs. It usually means “to make or become” something. For example:

• dark → darken (to make dark)

• wide → widen (to make wide or become wide)

This suffix is common in everyday English, and it can help learners understand and form new words.

Common Verbs with -EN

Here are some useful verbs with -EN, grouped for easier learning:

• Awaken, batten, blacken, brighten, broaden, burden, chasten, christen

• Dampen, darken, deaden, deafen, deepen, enlighten, enliven, fasten, fatten, flatten, frighten, glisten

• Happen, harden, hasten, heighten, leaven, lengthen, lessen, lighten, liken, listen, liven, loosen

• Madden, moisten, open, quicken, redden, ripen, roughen

• Sadden, sharpen, shorten, sicken, slacken, sodden, soften, stiffen, straighten, strengthen, sweeten

• Thicken, threaten, tighten, waken, weaken, widen, whiten, worsen

Examples in sentences:

• The rain softened the ground.

• The teacher’s words enlightened the students.

• His illness has weakened him.

• The baby finally awakened.

Past tense and participles are regular for most of these verbs:

• awaken → awakened

• deepen → deepened

• lengthen → lengthened

• sweeten → sweetened

Other Word Types with -EN

The ending -EN does not always show a verb. It also appears in nouns, adjectives, and past participles.

Nouns with -EN

• chicken, garden, heaven, kitten, pollen, specimen, token

Adjectives with -EN

• alien, golden, open, silken, sodden, sudden, wooden, woolen

Past Participles with -EN

• beaten, broken, chosen, forbidden, taken, written

The Prefix EN-

Many verbs also begin with the prefix EN-. This prefix often has a similar meaning to the suffix -EN: “to make or cause to be.”

Examples:

• enable (make able)

• enrich (make rich)

• enlarge (make large)

• encourage (make someone feel courage)

Other common verbs with EN-: enact, enchant, enclose, encounter, endanger, endorse, enforce, engage, engrave, engulf, enhance, enjoy, enlighten, enlist, enliven, ennoble, enrage, enroll, enslave, ensure, entail, entangle, entwine, envisage.

Summary

• The suffix -EN often means to make or become.

• It forms verbs from adjectives and nouns.

• The prefix EN- has a similar meaning.

• The same letters -EN also appear in many nouns, adjectives, and participles.

Learning these patterns helps you understand how English builds new words and makes your vocabulary stronger.

Prefix EN- practice

Choose the correct EN- verb to complete each sentence:

1. The teacher tried to __________ the students to read more books. (encourage / enlarge)

2. They plan to __________ the building to make more space. (enforce / enlarge)

3. His generosity will surely __________ him to his friends. (endear / endure)

4. The law will __________ drivers to wear seatbelts. (enforce / entangle)

5. The singer’s story helped __________ the audience. (enlighten / enable)

Creative writing

Write three sentences using any verbs with -EN or with the prefix EN-. Try to use different verbs each time.