What is the purpose of adding a suffix to a root word?

Adding a suffix to a root word serves to create a word with a related meaning. Suffixes can alter the meaning of the base word, often providing additional information about tense, number, or function. For instance, adding the suffix "-ing" to the root word "play" transforms it into "playing," indicating an ongoing action. Similarly, the suffix "-ful" can change "beauty" into "beautiful," shifting the meaning to describe something that possesses beauty. This process enriches the language by allowing for more nuanced expression while maintaining a connection to the original concept of the root word. The other options present ideas that do not accurately represent the function of suffixes in word formation.