What does the suffix '-ship' indicate?

• A. A state or condition
• B. A plural marker
• C. Position held
• D. Past tense

Answer: (C)

The suffix -ship signals a noun form that expresses a state, condition, or status, often tied to a role or position. When it attaches to a root that names a person or a kind of relationship, it describes the role or office that person has. For example, leadership refers to the position of leading; membership refers to the status of being a member; authorship refers to the role of being an author. So the core idea is that -ship highlights a position or status someone or something holds, rather than indicating plurality or past tense.