WORD FORMATION

ADDING SUFFIXES

You can form verbs, nouns, adjectives and adverbs from other related or base words by adding
a suffix (e.g. appear + -ance = appearance) to the end of the word. There are no clear rules-
each word and the words which can be formed from it must be learned individually

Some of the most common suffixes are listed below.

Noun noun

suffix noun Noun

-ism critic criticism

-ist motor motorist
-ship partner partnership
-ion act Action

Noun adjective

-y boss Bossy
-ful meaning meaningful
-ous fury Furious
-less hope hopeless
-al emotion emotional
-ic optimist optimistic
-ish child childish

Adjective noun

suffix adjective Noun

-ance relevant Relevance

-ence patient Patience
-ness friendly friendliness
Popular Popularity
-ity
available availability

Verb noun

Suffix verb Noun

- ment adjust Adjustment
-ation combine Combination
-ition define Definition
-tion create Creation
-sion divide Division
-er publish Publisher
-or survive Survivor
-ance/ guide Guidance
-ence exist Existence
-ant inhabit Inhabitant
-al Approve Approval
-ee employ Employee

Verb adjective

suffix verb adjective

- ed educate educated
- ing mislead misleading
-able rely reliable
-ible respond Responsible
-ent confide Confidente
-ive compete Competitive

Adjective/ noun adjective/ noun

suffix adjective/ noun verb

simple Simplify
- ify
class Classify
special specialise/specialize
-ise/-ize
critic criticise/criticize

Adjective Adverb

Adverbs are almost always formed by adding -ly.

If the adjective ends in -ic, you change it to an adverb by adding -ally

Suffix

-ly Simple Simply

-ally organic Organically
Noun Verb Adjective Adverb
Deduction Deduct Deductive