What part of speech is characterized by the suffix -ive?

The answer being identified as an adjective is correct because the suffix -ive is commonly used to form adjectives that convey a specific quality or characteristic related to the root word. For instance, words like "active," "creative," and "selective" all indicate a relationship to the action or concept denoted by the base word. This characteristic of -ive helps modify nouns, providing details about their qualities.

In contrast, nouns typically do not have the -ive suffix as a defining feature. Similarly, verbs and adverbs have different suffixes and roles in sentence structure, with verbs often indicating action or state, and adverbs modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Understanding this distinction aids in recognizing how words function within a sentence.