What is the primary purpose of identifying inflectional suffixes in language?

Identifying inflectional suffixes in language serves the primary purpose of understanding the grammatical changes in a word. Inflectional suffixes modify a word to convey various grammatical aspects such as tense, mood, number, and case. For example, adding "-s" to a noun indicates plural form, while "-ed" can denote past tense for a verb. This understanding is crucial for grasping how words function within sentences and for ensuring proper agreement and coherence in communication.

Understanding the role of inflectional suffixes helps in language therapy and education, particularly for those with language processing difficulties, as it allows therapists to guide students in recognizing and using the appropriate forms of words in context. This fosters both language development and the ability to engage effectively in written and spoken communication.