-its
suffix
UKUS
Unlike many well-defined English or Latin suffixes, “-its” is not generally recognized as a standalone suffix carrying its own semantic role. In most modern English words ending with “-its,” the letters function either as part of the root (e.g., ‘habits,’ ‘benefits,’ ‘limits’) or represent a simple plural or third-person singular form (e.g., ‘he exits the building,’ ‘her habits have changed’). Thus, “-its” typically does not form new words with a distinct, consistent meaning, the way suffixes like ‘-ist’ (one who practices) or ‘-ism’ (a doctrine or belief) do.
Example Sentences
He studied the traffic patterns at the stadium’s many exits to optimize crowd flow after the game.
Her habits gradually shifted toward a more active lifestyle, emphasizing regular exercise and balanced meals.
The board determined that the project’s benefits outweighed its costs, approving full funding for another fiscal year.
Sometimes, small edits can significantly improve the clarity of an academic paper.
His fits of laughter interrupted the otherwise quiet library, drawing amused stares from other patrons.
She admits that learning a new language can be challenging at first, but persistence leads to fluency over time.
Software limits must be tested thoroughly before deployment to ensure the system can handle peak loads.
Because '-its' does not function as a productive suffix in English, words ending in '-its' are generally best understood by examining each term’s root (e.g., ‘habit,’ ‘limit,’ ‘benefit,’ ‘exit’), rather than treating '-its' as a separate morpheme with its own meaning.
How to Use
No recognized English suffix specifically spelled '-its' that changes word meaning.In most instances, '-its' appears simply as the plural form of nouns ending in '-it'—for example, 'credit' → 'credits,' 'bandit' → 'bandits,' 'limit' → 'limits.' These are regular English plurals, not a special morphological suffix that alters a root’s meaning or grammatical function. You may also see '-its' within words borrowed from other languages (such as Latin- or French-based terms) but, in standard English usage, '-its' itself does not independently convey a new sense (unlike more recognizable suffixes such as '-itis' in medical terms). If you encounter '-its' at the end of an unfamiliar word, consult a dictionary to confirm whether it’s just a plural form or a borrowed term with non-English morphological roots. In short, there is no productive rule in English that takes '-its' as a suffix to form new words with a distinct meaning or grammatical category.
Alternatives
Because '-its' is generally not an English suffix, the main alternative is simply recognizing it as the regular '-s' plural attached to words ending in '-it.' If you need to convey an action or a state, rely on established suffixes (e.g., '-ing,' '-ed,' '-ion') or rework your sentence for clarity. If you suspect a borrowed usage, dictionaries often explain whether the final '-its' has a specialized meaning. Should you see '-itis' (like in 'arthritis' or 'bronchitis'), note that’s a different suffix meaning 'inflammation' in medical terminology. Knowing these distinctions helps avoid confusion between ordinary English plurals and technical or loanword suffixes.
Writing
When writing, treat '-its' as the standard '-s' plural unless your source clearly indicates a unique, borrowed morphological meaning. For instance, 'The project has many limits' is a straightforward plural from 'limit.' Be wary of misreading medical or foreign terms that might include similar-looking endings (e.g., '-itis') with separate meanings. If you’re unsure, checking a reputable dictionary or style guide ensures you’re using or interpreting the ending correctly. Maintaining precision in your text—especially in academic or professional contexts—helps avoid ambiguous phrasing and confusion.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation or informal writing, '-its' likely just marks the plural. You might say, 'I’ve got credits from my previous courses,' or 'Watch out for those bandits in the video game!' No one usually thinks of '-its' as a special suffix; it’s just part of normal English grammar to show more than one. If a friend asks about something like 'That café’s benefits…or benedicts?' you might clarify it’s the plural of 'benefit' (benefits) or it’s the dish 'Benedict'—a completely different word. Casual speech and text rarely involve confusion about '-its' so long as context is clear.
Etymology
Unlike recognized suffixes such as '-ion' (from Latin) or '-ise' (from French/Latin), '-its' does not originate from a single coherent morphological tradition in English. It typically arises when a base word ending in '-it' takes a standard plural '-s.' Where '-its' does show up in borrowed terms or names, it’s usually an accidental overlap rather than a productive English suffix. Thus, any historical trace is more about the evolution of each individual root word—be it from Latin, French, or Old English—plus the later addition of the English plural marker. There’s no uniform or independent developmental path for '-its' as a suffix on its own.
