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Examples:
child → childish (noun + suffix)
inform → informative (verb + suffix)
possible → impossible (prefix + adjective)
Although there are many common prefixes and suffixes, there are no fixed rules that tell
us when to use which one.
Many suffixes only fulfil a grammatical role and simply indicate that the word is now
an adjective, but there are some suffixes that carry their own meaning:
The suffix -less means without something, whereas the suffix -ful usually
means to have something.
Example:
hopeful ≠ hopeless
However, only few adjectives can be made into opposite pairs like this.
Examples:
homeless
but not: homeful
beautiful
but not: beautiless
We can add the suffix -ish to nouns and adjectives to change their meaning
to like something.
Examples:
Don’t be childish.
= like a child
The jacket is a bluish colour.
= like blue
For some materials, we can add the suffix -en to create adjectives that
mean made of.
Examples:
A wooden chair.
A woollen jumper.
When added to a verb, the suffix -able creates adjectives that express ability.
Examples:
Is the water drinkable?
= can you drink it?
Spelling rules
Usually, we just add the suffix to the end of the verb or noun.
Examples:
drink → drinkable
success → successful
However, sometimes we must add, remove or change letters before adding a suffix.
As shown in the table, the suffix -ly can be used to make adjectives from nouns.
Example:
friend → friendly
But wait! I hear you ask, I thought -ly is the ending for adverbs and not adjectives?
The difference depends on how they are used in a sentence. Head over to our page all
about adjectives vs. adverbs in English grammar to learn more!
Suffi
Verb Adjective More Examples
x
-able read readable adaptable, believable, forgettable, reliable …
-ative talk talkative conservative, informative …
-ive attract attractive active, creative, negative, relative …
-ed* annoy annoyed confused, embarrassed, excited …
-ing* annoy annoying confusing, embarrassing, exciting …
-ful help helpful harmful, hopeful, playful, useful …
*-ed or -ing?
Some adjectives formed from verbs can have two possible endings: -ed or -ing.
Examples:
confuse – confused/confusing
bore – bored/boring
Example:
Erica’s job is boring.
= the job bores Erica
Info
Be careful! Confusing the -ed and -ing endings can completely change the meaning of
a sentence.
Example:
I was terrified on Halloween.
I felt scared
I was terrifying on Halloween.
I was scary and caused everyone else to feel scared
See participles and confusing words for more information and exercises on the
difference between -ed and -ing.
Country Adjectives
Adjectives that describe nationality are always written with capital letters.
Example:
America → American
Russia → Russian
Australia → Australian
But we can also use -ese, -i, -ian and -ish to build country adjectives.
Example:
Japan → Japanese
Iraq → Iraqi
Ukraine → Ukrainian
The table below provides an overview of country adjectives.
Suffi
Country Adjective Example
x
China Chinese
Suda Sudanese
Pakistan Pakistani
Qatar Qatari
Canada Canadian
-ian Italy Italian Canadian people are famous for being very polite.
Palestine Palestinian
Great Britain British
Turkey Turkish
Austria Austrian
Russia Russian
Some countries have irregular forms.
Example:
Germany → German
France → French
Greece → Greek
Switzerland → Swiss
Ireland → Irish
For a detailed list of countries, languages and adjectives see: List of Countries and
Nationalities
Examples:
big ≠ small
hot ≠ cold
tall ≠ short
The prefixes il-, im- and ir- are only used before particular letters:
The table below shows the most common adjectives that form their opposites with the
prefixes il-, im- and ir-:
Opposite
Prefix Adjective More Examples
Adjective
legal illegal
il- illiterate, illegible, illegitimate …
logical illogical
patient impatient immobile, immoral, impartial, impersonal,
im-
mature immature impolite, impossible, improper …
Opposite
Prefix Adjective More Examples
Adjective
regular irregular
ir- irrational, irrelevant, irreparable, irreplaceable …
responsible irresponsible
The most common prefixes for forming opposite adjectives are un-, dis-, and in-.
Unlike the prefixes above, there are no fixed rules as to which letters can follow the
prefixes un-, dis- and in-. The table below shows some typical examples:
Opposite
Prefix Adjective More Examples
Adjective
lucky unlucky unable, unapologetic, uncertain, unclear,
un-
comfortable uncomfortable unimportant, unprepared, unsure …
honest dishonest disagreeable, disheartened, disgraceful,
dis-
respectful disrespectful disobedient …
correct incorrect inefficient, inexplicable, infamous, informal,
in-
accurate inaccurate inhumane …