Which part of speech would the suffixes -er, -est, and -ous typically be associated with?

The suffixes -er, -est, and -ous are primarily associated with adjectives. The suffix -er is often added to adjectives to form comparative forms, indicating a higher degree of the quality described by the adjective (e.g., "taller," "faster"). The suffix -est likewise forms the superlative, denoting the highest degree of an adjective (e.g., "tallest," "fastest").

The suffix -ous typically indicates a quality or characterized by something and is used to create adjectives from nouns (e.g., "joyous," "famous"). This shows a clear connection between these suffixes and the modification of nouns, conveying specific attributes or qualities, thus reinforcing that they are intrinsically tied to adjectives. This understanding of suffixes emphasizes how they modify or enhance meanings in the context of descriptive language.