1. Forming verbs:
* To make or cause to be: This is the most common use of "-ate". It is often used to create verbs that describe the action of doing something to something else. For example:
* activate: to make something active
* cultivate: to prepare land for growing crops
* educate: to teach someone
* decorate: to make something more beautiful
2. Forming nouns:
* A person or thing that does something: In this case, "-ate" often denotes an agent or a person responsible for a specific action.
* advocate: a person who publicly supports a cause
* graduate: a person who has completed a course of study
* candidate: a person who is nominated for an office
* delegate: a person who is appointed to represent others
3. Forming adjectives:
* Having a particular quality: "-ate" can also be used to form adjectives that describe a particular characteristic or state.
* fortunate: lucky
* accurate: correct
* separate: distinct
* private: belonging to one person
4. Chemical terms:
* A compound containing a particular element or group: In chemistry, "-ate" is often used to denote a compound that contains a specific element or group of atoms.
* sulfate: a compound containing sulfur and oxygen
* carbonate: a compound containing carbon and oxygen
* nitrate: a compound containing nitrogen and oxygen
5. Other uses:
* As part of a larger word: "-ate" can also appear as part of a larger word, often contributing to its meaning.
* appropriate: suitable for a particular purpose
* create: to bring something into existence
* recreate: to create something again
* iterate: to repeat something
It's important to consider the context of the word when trying to determine the meaning of "-ate". If you're unsure, you can always consult a dictionary!