Question

Long ago, I learned that suffixes like -ide, -ate, -ose, etc. had specific meanings. Now, I'm seeing all these drug ads on TV with generic names that all end in -ab or -ib. Do these have a standard meaning, or is it a matter of conforming to the crowd?

Answer 1

In chemistry, suffixes like -ide, -ate, and -ose often have specific meanings. However, drug names that end in -ab or -ib do not have a standard meaning and are chosen for branding purposes. These suffixes may not follow a strict linguistic or chemical convention.

Step-by-step explanation:

In chemistry, the suffix -ide, -ate, -ose, etc. often have specific meanings.

However, when it comes to drug names, the suffixes -ab and -ib do not have a standard meaning.

These suffixes are likely chosen for drug names to conform to the crowd or sound scientific.

It is important to note that drug names are typically created by pharmaceutical companies for branding purposes and may not follow a strict linguistic or chemical convention.