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Common Noun-Forming Suffixes Explained

This document discusses several common suffixes that can be added to words to form nouns. It explains the suffixes -ment, -ness, -ity, -tion, -ion, -sion, -ance, and -ence and provides examples of words that use each suffix. The suffixes are used to form nouns related to actions, processes, qualities, states, or relationships derived from other words.

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Carlos J. Imilan Quezada
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122 views2 pages

Common Noun-Forming Suffixes Explained

This document discusses several common suffixes that can be added to words to form nouns. It explains the suffixes -ment, -ness, -ity, -tion, -ion, -sion, -ance, and -ence and provides examples of words that use each suffix. The suffixes are used to form nouns related to actions, processes, qualities, states, or relationships derived from other words.

Uploaded by

Carlos J. Imilan Quezada
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

A suffix is anything affixed at the end of a word, to form another type from it.

There are several


suffixes we will see now which form nouns: ness, ment, ity, tion, ion, sion, ance, ence.
Here we will see some of them with explanations.

All these suffixes are used with various adjectives or verbs to form their noun counterparts. Make
a note that these words are not standalone. They have to couple with another word to get a
meaning.

Ment

This suffix forms nouns related to action, process, cause or effect of an action, etc. Though ment
usually forms noun form from verbs, occasionally adjectives can have this suffix, as in the last
example below.

Arrangearrangement
Refreshrefreshment
Employemployment
Replacereplacement
Merrymerriment

Ness

This suffix is usually added to adjectives. However, it cannot be applied to every adjective. It
usually indicates a state or quality.

Happyhappiness
Sadsadness
Darkdarkness
Kindkindness
Weakweakness

The word witness is on the contrary, an exception to the use of ness.

Ity

This suffix is used to form nouns from adjectives just as ness. It also expresses a state or
condition, a degree or measure of condition, etc.

Possiblepossibility
Complexcomplexity
Purepurity
Majormajority
Superiorsuperiority
Humanehumanity
Insaneinsanity

Ance, Ence

These suffixes form nouns from adjectives and occasionally from verbs. They mostly indicate
quality or action.

Silentsilence
Absentabsence
Importantimportance
Arrogantarrogance
Relevantrelevance
Assistantassistance
Penance (v)penance
Dependantdependence

Ancy and Ency are similar to these suffixes.

Ship and Hood

Indicates various relationships, statuses, ranks, states, etc. Normally forms nouns from other
nouns.

Relationrelationship
Membermembership
Bachelorbachelorhood
Childchildhood
Chairmanchairmanship
Fellowfellowship
Citizencitizenship
Mothermotherhood
Friendfriendship

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