APPENDIX E

APPENDIX E: Word Endings

Word endings in English often tell you how a word is used grammatically in English;
therefore, it is very important for you to recognize some common word endings. If you
recognize a word ending on a word that you do not know, you can tell how the word
should be used grammatically, even if you do not understand the meaning of the word.

EXERCISE El: Noun (Thing) Endings

The following noun (thing) endings are very common in English. It is important for you to
study them and become familiar with them.

N O U N ( T H I N G ) E NDINGS

•ism socialism •ment government

e excellence •ty beauty
•ness sadness •age marriage
n information •ship friendship

Using one of the endings above, change each of the following words into a noun (thing):

1. member 9. alcohol
2. kind 10. permanent
3. real 11. mile
4. move 12. confuse
5. human 13. leader
6. elect 14. sudden
7. break 15. improve
8. intelligent 16. equal
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EXERCISE E2: Noun (Person) Endings

The following noun (person) endings are very common in English. It is important for you
to study them and become familiar with them.

N O U N (PERSON) EN DIN GS

•er employer -ist tourist

r actor -dan music/on

Using one of the endings above, change each of the following words into a noun (person).

1. teach 9. perfection
2. type 10. program
3. beauty 11. electricity
4. ideal 12. invest
5. invent 13. build
6. clinic 14. natural
7. special 15. advice
8. ranch 16. mathematics

EXERCISE E3: Adjective Endings

The following adjective endings are very common in English. It is important for you to
study them and become familiar with them.

ADJECTIVE ENDINGS
-ent excellent -ive expensive
-ant important •ous dangerous
-ful careful -a/ nature/
-I'C econom/c -able capable
-less care/ess -ible possible

Using one of the endings above, change each of the following words into an adjective:

1. heart 9. courage
2. nature 10. use
3. athlete 11. enthusiasm
4. mystery 12. motion
5. help 13. tradition
6. impress 14. change
7. intelligence 15. permanence
8. comfort 16. attract
 APPENDIX E

EXERCISE E4: Verb Endings

The following verb endings are very common in English. It is important for you to study
them and become familiar with them.

VERB ENDINGS
-en soften -ize memorize
-ate populate -ify notify

Using one of the endings above, change each of the following words into a verb:

1. dark 9. different
2. final 10. identity
3. just 11. light
4. separation 12. glamour
5. short 13. person
6. intense 14. sweet
7. investigation 15. liberal
8. industrial 16. demonstration

EXERCISE E5: Adverb Ending

The following adverb ending is very common in English. It is important for you to become
familiar with it.

ADVERB E ND I NG

-/y real/y

Using the ending above, change each of the following words into an adverb:

1. final 9. great
2. careful 10. complete
3. obvious 11. eager
4. recent 12. absolute
5. strong 13. correct
6. perfect 14. sudden
7. fearful 15. doubtful
8. quick 16. regular