Elements with "ide, "ite" when do we use the endings?

Question

For example, Sulfite, Sulfate, Sulfide. What is the difference between these endings?

Answer 1

The number of Oxygen atoms in the anion.

For Sulfur:
"ide" is S^-2
"ite" is SO3^-2
"ate" is SO4^-2

For Phosphorus:
"ide" is P^-3
"ite" is PO3^-3
"ate" is PO4^-3

For Nitrogen:
"ide" is N^-3
"ite" is NO2^-1
"ate" is NO3^-1

The IDE means no Oxygen, the ITE means fewer Oxygen atoms and ATE means more Oxygen atoms in the anion.

Answer 2

-ide means no oxygen.
-ate means maximum oxygen for that element (different from element to element).
-ite means one less oxygen than the maximum.