Noun formation

Suffixes
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Noun formation – suffixes
We usually form nouns from other parts of speech, commonly from a verb or an adjective
(root word) by adding a suffix.
Example:
Teachers have shown their preference for the use of technology in their classes.

root word suffix

In the example above the root word (prefer) is a

verb and it was added the suffix (-ence) to form
a noun.
Noun formation – suffixes
There are many suffixes to form a noun. Here are the most common:

-ence: prefer – preference / differ – difference / insist – insistence / exist – existence

-ance: clear – clearance / accept – acceptance / disturb – disturbance

-tion: opt – option / adopt – adoption / collect – collection / reflect – reflection

-sion: confuse – confusion / explode – explosion / discuss – discussion / suspend – suspension

-ity: active – activity / equal – equality / fertile – fertility / similar – similarity

-ment: amuse – amusement / punish – punishment / pay – payment / agree – agreement

-ship: relation – relationship / leader – leadership / champion – championship

Noun formation – suffixes
-hood: neighbour – neighbourhood / adult – adulthood / brother – brotherhood

-ee: grant – grantee / refuge – refugee / absent – absentee / employ – employee

-ist: art – artist / tour – tourist / real – realist / special – specialist / final – finalist

-ing: bless – blessing / begin – beginning / cover – covering / end – ending

-an/-ian: civil – civilian / electric – electrician / academic – academician / magic – magician

-er/-or/-ar: report – reporter / calculate – calculator / edit – editor / listen – listener

Fill in the gaps with the correct suffix to form a noun.
reaction
1. I want to see his _______________ (react) when he hears the news.

silence
2. James likes the _______________ neighbourhood (neighbour).
(silent) of his new _______________

government (govern)’s _______________

3. Scientists need a lot of the _______________ assistance (assist) to

continue further studies.

decision
4. You should think better. It’s a tough _______________ (decide).

opportunity (opportune) to work in a lab.

5. I don’t want to lose the _______________

agreement (agree).
partnership (partner) _______________
6. The lab has made a _______________

teachers
7. Most _______________ (teach) want to use technology to optimise their lessons.

Italian
8. I have made a new online friend. He is _______________ (Italy).