Adjectives -able (-ible), -ent, -ant, -ate, -y, -ed
Suffix -able (-ible) most often forms adjectives from verbs, the Russian equivalent of which are adjectives with the suffix -imiy (possible as opposed to performed). Such adjectives can also be translated into subordinate clauses, starting with the words which can + the infinitive of the original verb. It should be remembered that the suffix is never stressed. For example:
to detect - detectable which can be detected, detectable (not: detectable);
to observe (observe) - observable [əb"zɜ:vəbl] which can be observed (not: observable)
memorable ["mem(ə)rəbl] memorable, unforgettable
They took measures justifiable under these conditions. - They took measures that could be justified under these conditions. We consider events observable in all the situations. - We consider (only) events that can be observed in all these situations.
If such an adjective comes after the linking verb be, then during translation the word that is omitted and only the possible + infinitive of the original verb remains in the sentence, for example: It is regrettable that... You can regret that... The value is negligible. This value can be neglected.
If verb ends in e, then when adding the suffixes -able, -ible, this letter (e) disappears, for example: to receive - receivable which can be received. If verb ends in -y, then when forming an adjective y changes to i, for example: to rely (on) - reliable on which you can rely
Suffix -ent occurs in adjectives with different meanings. For example:
current ["kʌr(ə)nt] - current, modern;
evident ["evıd(ə)nt] - obvious.
confident ["kɔnfɪd(ə)nt] - confident
Suffix -ant forms adjectives that characterize persons or things as having or exhibiting certain qualities. For example:
observant [əb"zɜ:v(ə)nt] - observant
relevant ["relıvənt] - relevant, relevant (the suffix -ant can also form nouns).
Suffix -ate found in adjectives with various meanings, for example: moderate ["mɒdəreıt] - moderate, seasoned; adequate ["ædıkwıt] - appropriate, adequate. (The suffix -ate can also form verbs.)
Suffix -у forms adjectives with the meaning “having the quality of what is indicated by the stem.” For example:
dirt (dirt) - dirty ["dɜ:tı] dirty
fun (joke, fun) - funny ["fʌnı] cheerful, amusing
pretty ["prıtı] - pretty; (the suffix -у can also form nouns).
Suffix -ed forms adjectives: with the meaning of any attribute or possession of something, for example: property (property) - propertied ["prɒpətıd] possessor, possessing property; denoting any form, for example: arch (arch) - arched ["ɑ: tʃt] curved; denoting character or state, for example: educated ["edjʋ:keıtıd] educated. Endings ed/ing. The suffix -ed is often found in complex adjectives, for example: thick-walled [,θık"wɔ:ld] - thick-walled, many-sided [ "menı"saıdıd] - multilateral, ill-informed ["ılın"fɔ:md] - incorrectly informed.
1 .Suffix -er (-or ).
1) This suffix is used to form nouns from verbs (infinitive without to + -er ,-or ). A noun with this ending denotes either a device that performs the action expressed by the verb from which it is derived, or a person who performs this action. When reading such derived words, you should remember that suffixes -er And -or the stress never falls, and therefore they are pronounced as a neutral sound [ə], for example:
to play (play) - a player [ə"pleɪə] player
to mix (mix) - a mixer [ə"mɪksə] mixer.
If the verb ends in e , then only the letter is added r ,For example:
to make (produce) - a maker [ə"meɪkə] producer
to use (use) - a user [ə"ju:zə] user.
It should be remembered that you often have to resort to descriptive translation of nouns with the suffix -er ,-or ,For example:
to lift (to lift) - a lifter [ə"lɪftə] lifting device
to time (assign time, calculate by time) - a timer [ə"taɪmə] a device that calculates time.
2) End letter r in words with such a suffix, it is pronounced as a connecting sound [r] only if it is followed by a word starting with a vowel, for example:
a reader of the book [ə"ri:də rəf ðə"buk] the reader of this book.
In this regard, you should pay attention to the reading of the conjunction and [ənd] - And ,A .This conjunction is pronounced very briefly, without stress and together, as if in one breath, with the words that it connects, for example:
a reader and a writer [ə"ri:də r ənd ə"raɪtə].
Exercise 1
A collector [əkə"lektə], a selector [əsə"lektə], a collector and a selector; a container [əkən"teɪnə], a protector [əprə"tektə], a container and a protector; an inventor [ənɪn"ventə], a reporter [ərɪ"pɔ:tə], an inventor and a reporter; a composer [əkəm"pəuzə], a producer [əprə"dju:sə], a composer and a producer.
2 .Suffix -ist .This is a very common suffix that forms nouns denoting professionals, supporters of a social or scientific direction. It can be attached to nouns and adjectives.
Task 2. Read and give Russian equivalents.
A specialist [ə"speʃəlɪst], a naturalist [ə"nætʃrəlɪst], a scientist [ə"saɪəntɪst], a chemist [ə"kemɪst], an economist, a "botanist, a "moralist.
3 .Suffix - ian .Nouns with this suffix denote nationality or title and profession, for example: Russian ["rʌʃən] - Russian, academician [ə,kædə"mɪʃən] - academician, musician musician. Darwinian - Darwinist.
Words formed by adding a suffix -ian, can also be translated by adjectives, for example:
the Russian language ["læŋɡwɪdʒ] Russian language
Neo-Darwinian interpretation of evolution [,nɪə dɑ:"wɪnɪən ɪn,tə:prɪ"teɪʃən əv,i:və"lu:ʃən] neo-Darwinian interpretation of evolution.
Note: Please note that nouns and adjectives denoting nationality are always capitalized: English, Russian, Polish, American.
4 .Suffix -ity (spelling options -ety ,-iety )forms abstract nouns with the meaning of state, quality, condition. Suffix -ity matches the suffix -ness , for example: able (capable) - ability [ə"bɪlɪtɪ] ability; active (active) - activity [æk"tɪvɪtɪ] activity, activity; valid (valid, justified, effective) - validity, effectiveness, fairness, legality, validity.
5 . Suffix -ing forms nouns from verbs (§ 85), for example: to meet (meet) - meeting ["mi:tɪŋ] meeting, to proceed (continue) - proceeding practice, proceedings, notes (of a scientific society).
6 .Suffix -hood forms nouns with the meaning “state, position, quality”, for example: child (child) - childhood ["tʃaɪldhud] childhood, man (man) - manhood ["mænhud] masculinity.
7 . Suffix -ment forms nouns denoting action, for example: to move (to move) - movement ["mu:vmənt] - movement.
Some words with this suffix take on the meaning of a collection of objects, for example: equipment [ɪ"kwɪpmənt] equipment.
8 . Suffix -ness forms nouns with the meaning “state, quality”, for example: dark (dark) - darkness ["dɑ:knɪs] darkness, good (good) - goodness ["ɡudnɪs] kindness, great (great) - greatness ["ɡreɪtnɪs] greatness.
9 .Suffix -y forms abstract nouns from verbs, for example: to discover (open) - discovery discovery; to inquire (ask, find out) - inquiry [ɪn"kwaɪərɪ] question, request.
10 .Suffix -th forms nouns with the meaning of quality, for example: true (true, truthful) - truth, health - health.
By adding a suffix -th nouns are formed from adjectives, and the root vowel often changes, for example: long (long) - length length, deep (deep) - depth depth, strong (strong) - strength strength.
11 .Suffix -ant forms nouns with the meaning of person and substance, for example: to assist (help) - assistant [ə"sɪstənt] assistant, to serve (serve) - servant ["sə:vənt] servant, an oxidant oxidizer, solvent solvent.
12 .Suffix -age forms nouns with different meanings, for example: to break (break) - breakage ["breɪkɪdʒ] breakdown; to marry (marry) - marriage ["mæ-rɪdʒ] wedding; courage ["kʌrɪdʒ] - courage, boldness, courage.
13 .Suffix -ism is characteristic of many languages, for example: Darwinism ["dɑ:wɪnɪzm], romanticism, capitalism ["kæpɪtəlɪzm], vandalism ["vændəlɪzm].
14 .Suffix -ire (-ture ,-sure ).
1) First of all, you should pay attention to the pronunciation of letter combinations ture And sure .As a result of certain phonetic changes in the English language, the combination ture began to be perceived as a symbol. For example: culture ["kʌltʃə], future ["fju:tʃə], lecture ["lektʃə], temperature ["temprɪtʃə].
Letter combination sure conveyed by the sound combination [ʃə]. For example: pressure ["preʃə], tonsure ["tɔnʃə].
If before the letter combination sure there is a vowel, then it is conveyed by the sound combination [ʒə]. For example: exposure [ɪks"pouʒə], measure ["meʒə], treasure ["treʒə", pleasure ["pleʒə].
2) Suffix -ire (-ture ,-sure )forms nouns denoting a process, for example: to press (press) - pressure ["preʃə] pressure, to mix (mix) - mixture ["mɪkstʃə] mixing.
Many nouns formed with the help of these suffixes can mean the result of an action in the form of an object, a substance, for example: mixture - medicine, mixture; fixture - fastening (part).
15 .Suffix -ship forms nouns with the meaning of state, position or property, for example: friend (friend) - friendship ["frendʃɪp] friendship, member (member) - membership ["membəʃɪp] membership.
Task 3. Based on the given verbs, form nouns using suffixes -er ,-or , and translate.
Example: to tell - a teller [ə"telə] narrator.
Suffix -er: to absorb - absorb, absorb; to advise - advise, advise; to compute - calculate; to point - to indicate; to produce - produce, cause; to report - to report, report; to design - to design, construct; to restore - restore, restore; to run - to run; to test - check, test.
Note: Be aware that the verb to inform [ɪn"fɔ:m] produces two nouns: informer -informant,informer And informant -informant("reporter").
Suffix -or: to act - to act; to correct - to correct; to inspect - to inspect; to invent - to invent; to operate - work, act, manage; to select - select, sort.
Task 4. Connect the given pairs of nouns with a conjunction and .Remember to use the connecting sound [r] before the conjunction and if the word before it ends with a letter r .Translate into Russian.
Sample: a reader, a writer - a reader and a writer - reader and writer.
An actor, a reporter; an artist, a proofreader; a designer, an inspector; a naturalist, an inventor; an adviser, an informer; a specialist, an adviser; an absorber, a selector; an operator, and separator; a chemist, a runner; a restorer, a tester; an informant, an inspector; a computer, an operator; a pointer, a selector; a scientist, a designer; a checker, a producer.
Task 5. Read and translate into Russian.
Suffix - (i )an: historian, arithmetician [ə,rɪθmə"tɪʃən], statistician [,stætɪs"tɪʃən], politician [,pɔlɪ"tɪʃən], phonetician [,fəunə"tɪʃən], librarian (library), tragedian (tragedy - tragedy), comedian (comedy - comedy).
Note: Please note that physician means doctor,doctor,a physicist ["fɪzɪsɪst] - physicist.
Suffix -ity: simplicity (simple - simple), similarity [,sɪmɪ"lærɪtɪ] (similar - similar), selectivity (to select - select), complexity (complex - complex), certainty ["sə:təntɪ] (certain - certain), relativity [ ,relə"tɪvɪtɪ] (relative - relative), conductivity [,kɔndʌk"tɪvɪtɪ] (to conduct - to conduct).
Suffix -ing: writings ["raɪtɪŋz] (to write - to write), finding ["faɪndɪŋ] (to find - to find), coming ["kʌmɪŋ] (to come - to come), going ["ɡouɪŋ] (to go - to walk), planning [ "plænɪŋ] (to plan - plan).
Suffix -hood: fatherhood ["fɑ:ðəhud] (father - father), brotherhood ["brʌðəhud] (brother - brother), serfhood ["sə:fhud] (serf - serf, slave), neighborhood ["neɪbəhud] (neighbor - neighbor).
Suffix -menu movement ["mu:vmənt] (to move - move), equipment [ɪ"kwɪpmənt] (to equip - equip), requirement (to require - demand), agreement [ə"ɡri:mənt] (to agree - agree), measurement ["meʒəmənt] (to measure - to measure), development (to develop - to develop), improvement [ɪm"pru:vmənt] (to improve - to improve), treatment ["tri:tmənt] (to treat - to interpret, process) .
Suffix -ness (basic Russian equivalent -ness ): emptiness ["emptɪnɪs] (empty - empty), weakness ["wi:knɪs] (weak - weak), usefulness ["ju:sfulnɪs] (useful - useful), readiness ["redɪnɪs] (ready - ready), effectiveness [ ɪ"fektɪvnɪs] (effective - effective).
Suffixes -y; -th; -ant; -ist; -ure: discovery (to discover - open), strength (strong - strong), truth (true - true), growth ["ɡrouθ] (to grow - grow), chemist ["kemɪst], physicist ["fɪzɪsɪst", capitalist ["kæpɪtəlɪst ], economist [ɪ"kɔnəmɪst], scientist ["saɪəntɪst] (science - science), meteorologist [,mi:tjə"rɔlədʒɪst], assistant [ə"sɪstənt], servant ["sə:vənt] (to serve - to serve) , exposure (ɪks "pouʒə] (to expose - withstand (in the light), expose).
Suffix -ship: leadership ["li:dəʃɪp] (to lead), citizenship ["sɪ(:)tɪzənʃɪp] (citizen - citizen), dictatorship (dictator - dictator).
Exercise 1.Translate, paying special attention to nouns that are formed in different ways (§ 31).
Memo: words possible And feasible["fɪ:zəbl] can be translated the same way - possible .However, know the difference: possible - possible ,likely; feasible - (physically) executable ,feasible ,possible .
1. Beggars cannot be choosers. 2.The impossibility of such a simplification is obvious. 3. Clearliness is next to godliness. 4. Death is the great leveler. 5. Idleness is the mother of all evil. 6. Overdocumentation has two dangers. 7. There are times when the weak can help the strong. 8. Two wrongs do not make a right. 9. They have the same likes and the same dislikes. 10. The capacity to select the important from the many is also necessary. 11. The difficult we can do at once the impossible may take a little time. 12. The wheres and whens are important.
You can tell a lot about any person, and there are many nouns for this. Firstly, any person can be “attributed” to a profession or occupation. As a rule, we start from the verb. If a person performs any action, then this is his occupation or profession. A person lives in a society that has “layers of society”, there is nobility, and therefore titles passed on by inheritance, the peasantry, slaves. This is not a profession or an occupation. A person always has the status of “kinship”. For example, a woman can be a mother, wife, sister, mother-in-law, daughter, and a male person can be a husband, son-in-law, son, father, bachelor, etc.
The suffixes “-HOOD”, “-SHIP” and “-DOM” form abstract nouns that can indicate a person’s status in society, but not their occupation or profession. The suffixes “-HOOD”, “SHIP” and “DOM” are largely similar in meaning, but there are also differences, so let’s look at them one by one.
Suffix “-HOOD” came to English from German and often talks about a person’s life as he gradually goes through all the phases of growing up from a baby to a mature person. The suffix “-HOOD” can also indicate qualities of a person that do not relate to his type of activity.
I will write some examples of nouns with the suffix “-HOOD”.
BABY = child, baby + HOOD = BABY HOOD= infancy;
BACHELOR (1) = bachelor + HOOD = BACHELOR HOOD= single life;
BACHELOR (2) = bachelor + HOOD = BACHELOR HOOD= bachelor's degree;
BROTHER = brother, brother, colleague, fellow countryman + HOOD = BROTHER HOOD= brotherhood, fraternal, friendly relations, people of the same profession;
BOY = boy, schoolboy, guy, young man, son + HOOD = BOY HOOD= adolescence;
CHILD = child, child, child, son, daughter, offspring, descendant + HOOD = CHILD HOOD= childhood;
FALSE = false, erroneous, incorrect, false, treacherous, deceitful, deceptive + HOOD = FALSE HOOD= lie, untruth, falsehood;
GENTLE = soft, kind, quiet, calm, meek, well-born, noble + HOOD = GENTLE HOOD= nobility, good manners, courtesy;
HARDY = bold, courageous, daring, seasoned, hardy, persistent + HOOD = HARDI HOOD= courage, audacity, impudence;
GIRL = girl, girl + HOOD = GIRL HOOD= girlhood;
KNIGHT = knight, knight + HOOD = KNIGHT HOOD= chivalry, knightly dignity; nobility;
LIVELY = alive (when described), lively, cheerful + HOOD = LIVELI HOOD= livelihood, food;
LIKELY = probable, suitable, promising + HOOD = LIKELI HOOD= probability, promising future;
MOTHER = mother, mother + HOOD = MOTHER HOOD= motherhood;
MAN = man, man, courageous person + HOOD = MAN HOOD= maturity, maturity, mature age, masculinity;
NEIGHBOUR = neighbor, neighbor, nearby, neighbor + HOOD = NEIGHBOUR HOOD= neighborhood, proximity, districts, area, surroundings;
ORPHAN = orphan + HOOD = ORPHAN HOOD= orphanhood, orphanage;
PARENT = parent + HOOD = PARENT HOOD= fatherhood, motherhood;
PRIEST = priest, priest + HOOD = PRIEST HOOD= priesthood, clergy;
QUEEN = queen + HOOD = QUEEN HOOD= position of the queen, period of the queen's reign;
SAINT = holy + HOOD = SAINT HOOD= holiness;
SERF = serf, slave + HOOD = SERF HOOD= serfdom, slavery;
SISTER = sister + HOOD = SISTER HOOD= sibling relationship;
WIDOW = widow + HOOD = WIDOW HOOD= widowhood;
Suffix “-SHIP” came to English from German and indicates social status, position, quality. For example, the suffix “-SHIP” forms nouns that indicate “POSITIONS.” It is clear that the position has nothing to do with a profession or craft. That’s why when you hear the word “position,” education, court, and administrative work immediately come to mind.
I will write several nouns with the suffix “-SHIP”.
APPRENTICE = student, journeyman, beginner, beginner + SHIP = APPRENTICE SHIP= teaching, apprenticeship; term of study;
BACHELOR (1) = bachelor + SHIP = BACHELOR SHIP= single life;
BACHELOR (2) = bachelor + SHIP = BACHELOR SHIP= bachelor's degree;
CENSOR = censor + SHIP = CENSOR SHIP= censorship, position of censor;
CHAMPION = champion, winner, winner + SHIP = CHAMPION SHIP= championship, title of champion;
CITIZEN = citizen, citizen; city dweller, city woman + SHIP = CITIZEN SHIP= citizenship;
CLAN = clan, clan + SHIP = CLAN SHIP= belonging to or allegiance to a clan or clan;
CLERK = clerk, clerk, office worker, official, secretary + SHIP = CLERK SHIP= position of clerk, secretary, office worker;
COMPANIAN = comrade, companion, fellow traveler, random neighbor in the carriage, companion + SHIP = COMPANIAN SHIP= communication, companionship, company;
CONSUL = consul + SHIP = CONSUL SHIP= position of consul;
EDITOR = editor + SHIP = EDITOR SHIP= position of editor, editorial office, editorship;
FRIEND = friend, buddy, comrade, colleague + SHIP = FRIEND SHIP= friendship, friendliness;
JUSTICE = judge, justice, justice + SHIP = JUSTICE SHIP= rank, position of a judge;
HARD = difficult, difficult, demanding, miserable, harsh, merciless + SHIP = HARD SHIP= deprivation, need, ordeal, difficulty, inconvenience
KING = king, king + SHIP = KING SHIP= kingship, reign;
LEADER = leader, leader, commander, leader + SHIP = LEADER SHIP= leadership, leadership, leadership;
LORD = lord, lord, ruler, ruler + SHIP = LORD SHIP= power, power of a feudal lord, lord's estate;
MASTER = master, school teacher, head of college + SHIP = MASTER SHIP mastery, dominance, position of teacher, director;
MEMBER = member of a club, parliament, political party + SHIP = MEMBER SHIP= membership, title of member;
NEIGHBOUR = neighborhood, proximity, neighbor + SHIP = NEIGHBOUR SHIP= neighborhood, proximity, neighborly relations;
OWNER = owner, owner, owner + SHIP = OWNER SHIP= property, possession, ownership;
PARTISAN = adherent, supporter, partisan + SHIP = PARTISAN SHIP= commitment;
PARTNER = participant, accomplice, partner, companion + SHIP = PARTNER SHIP= participation, partnership;
PASTOR = shepherd, pastor + SHIP = PASTOR SHIP= pastorate;
PENMAN = calligrapher, scribe + SHIP = PENMAN SHIP= calligraphy, calligraphy, the art of writing; handwriting;
PROCTOR = proctor, inspector + SHIP = PROCTOR SHIP= title, position of proctor;
PROFESSOR = professor, teacher + SHIP = PROFESSOR SHIP= title, position of professor; professorship;
PROPRIETOR = owner, owner, owner + SHIP = PROPRIET SHIP= property;
PROTECTOR protector, patron + SHIP = PROTECTOR SHIP= protectorate, patronage, patronage;
RELATION = relation, connection, dependence + SHIP = RELATION SHIP= kinship; relatives, relatives;
RECTOR = rector + SHIP = RECTOR SHIP= title, position of rector;
SCHOLAR = scientist, expert, scholar, student + SHIP = SCHOLAR SHIP= scholarship, erudition, scholarship;
SECRETARY = secretary, minister + SHIP = SECRETARY SHIP= position of secretary; duties of a secretary; secretary qualifications;
SOLDIER = soldier, private + SHIP = SOLDIER SHIP= art of war;
SPORTSMAN = athlete, hunter, fisherman; honest, decent person + SHIP = SPORTSMAN SHIP= athletic agility, passion for sports; honesty, directness;
STUDENT = student studying something + SHIP = STUDENT SHIP= student years, student life; scholarship;
SWORDSMAN = swordsman + SHIP = SWORDSMAN SHIP= the art of fencing;
TRUSTEE = trustee, guardian; person to whom the board of directors is entrusted; board member + SHIP = TRUSTEE SHIP= guardianship, guardianship, guardianship;
TOWN = city + SHIP = TOWN SHIP= plot allocated for urban construction; village, town;
TUTOR = home teacher, tutor, mentor, student group leader + SHIP = TUTOR SHIP= position of a mentor, duties of a mentor;
WARD = ward, person under guardianship + SHIP = WARD SHIP= guardianship;
WORKMAN = worker, worker + SHIP = WORKMAN SHIP= art, skill, qualification;
WOR SHIP= cult, veneration, worship, worship;
Suffix “-DOM” is an English suffix and often indicates a person's title.
I will write several nouns with the suffix “-DOM”.
BORE = boring activity, boring person + DOM = BORE DOM= boredom;
CHRISTIAN = Christian + DOM = CHRISTEN DOM= Christian world;
DUKE = Duke + DOM = DUKE DOM= title of duke, dukedom;
EARL = graph + DOM = EARL DOM= title of earl, county;
FREE = free, free, at large + DOM = FREE DOM= freedom, independence; right, privilege;
KING = king, king + DOM = KING DOM= kingdom, kingdom;
MARTYR = martyr, sufferer + DOM = MARTYR DOM= martyrdom, torment;
OFFICIAL = official, major official, civil servant + DOM = OFFICIAL DOM= officialdom, bureaucracy;
SERF = serf, slave + DOM = SERF DOM= serfdom, slavery;
WISE = wise, prudent, knowledgeable, knowledgeable + DOM = WIS DOM= wisdom;
WHORE = harlot, whore, prostitute + DOM = WHORE DOM= debauchery, prostitution;
A large number of new words in English are formed by adding suffixes and prefixes to the root of a word.
Suffixation is the process of forming new words using suffixes, prefixation is a similar process where prefixes are involved.
Noun suffixes
There are several classifications of the suffixal method of word formation of nouns in the English language. The most common is to distinguish several groups depending on the generating word.
Common noun suffixes:
- The suffix -age forms what shows an action or its result (leakage - leakage, coverage - coverage), and nouns expressing the essence of the concept or quantity (acreage - area in acres, voltage - voltage). Due to the polysemy of some neologisms, the meaning can expand to the name of a place (orphanage - orphanage).
- Suffix — al added to some verbs to form abstract nouns that denote an action or its result: arrival - arrival, recital - presentation, referral - direction.
- The suffix -ance (with its variants -ence/-ancy/-ency), when attached mainly to verbs, forms action names: absorbance - absorption, riddance - elimination. This suffix is closely related to -cy/-ce, which are involved in the formation of nouns from adjectives that have the suffixes -ant/-ent.
- Suffix -ant forms that are related to a person (especially in the technical or business field: applicant - candidate, defendant - defendant) or to substances involved in biological, chemical or physical processes: attractant - attractant, dispersant - dispersant. Most of the producing words are verbs of Latin origin.
- Suffixes -cy/-ce are added productively to adjectives ending in -ant/-ent (convergence - interaction, efficiency - efficiency) and nouns ending in -ant/-ent: agency, presidency.
- Suffix -dom semantically close to –hood and -ship, which denote similar concepts. This suffix is added to nouns to form common nouns that denote regions, kingdoms or territories: kingdom - kingdom, maoridom - Maori kingdom.
- The suffix –ee is involved in the formation of nouns that denote persons who unintentionally appear in the context without volitional action on their part: biographee – someone about whom a biography is written; standee – a person who is forced to stand (for example, on a bus).
- Suffix -eer forms nouns, the meaning of which can be expressed as follows: “a person who deals with or is associated with someone/something”: auctioneer - auctioneer, budgeter - budgeter, mountaineer - climber, cameleer - camel driver.
- The suffix -er in derivative words indicates that persons from the context are active participants in events: teacher - teacher, singer - singer. This suffix is also used to form nouns denoting a place of origin or stay: Londoner - a resident of London, Highlander - a Scottish highlander.
- Suffix -(e)ry forms nouns with the meaning of a place where certain actions are performed or specific services can be provided: bakery - bakery, carwashery - washing.
- Derivatives with the suffix -(e)ry can also denote collective concepts: confectionery - confectionery, pottery - earthenware.
- The suffix -ess refers to a small number of derived nouns that denote female people and animals: princess - princess, tigress - tigress.
- Suffix -ful indicates that the noun acts as a divisible object that has a capacity: cupful - a full cup, handful - a handful, tumblerful - 240 ml, a measure of the volume of liquid.
- The suffix -hood forms nouns that denote states and collective concepts: childhood - childhood, beggarhood - poverty.
- Suffix -ism forms nouns from this part of speech and adjectives denoting a state, position, attitude, belief, system of theories: Parkinsonism - Parkinsonism, conservatism - conservatism, Marxism - Marxism.
- The suffix -ist forms words that in most cases have a corresponding pair among nouns ending in –ism. Semantically, this suffix denotes a person who deals with something: careerist - careerist, fundamentalist - fundamentalist.
- Suffix -ity forms nouns that denote quantity, state or quality and are mainly of Latin origin: curiosity - inquisitiveness, profundity - depth.
- The suffix -ness is the most productive in the English language and can be attached to almost any adjective: witness - wisdom, darkness - darkness.
- Suffix -ship forms nouns that denote a state or position: friendship - friendship, membership - membership.
Verb → noun
| -AL | Refuse-refusal | |
| -ANCE/ENCE |
|
|
| -ATION/TION | Locate-location | |
| -SION | Impress-impression | |
| -URE | Press-pressure | |
| -MENT | Punish-punishment | |
| -AGE | Pass-passage | |
| -ING | End-ending | |
| -ERY | Bake-bakery |
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Prefixes
| OTHER PREFIXES | ||||
| PREFIX | EXAMPLE | PREFIX | MEANING | EXAMPLE |
| un-
opposite expression |
unable
unable |
re-(+ v.) |
do again what the basis indicates | remake
redo |
| in- | inactive
inactive |
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| im-
before m and p the prefix in- turns into im |
impossible
impossible |
en-, em- (+ v.) |
impart quality |
embody
incarnate |
| il-
Before l the prefix in- becomes il |
illegal
illegal |
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| ir-
before r - in ir |
irregular
wrong |
over-(+ v.) |
excessive degree of quality or performance of an action | overproduce
overproduce |
| misunderstand
wrong |
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|
denial or opposite action |
disapproval
disapproval |
under-(+ v.) |
insufficient degree of quality or performance of an action | underestimate
underestimate |
Non—
Words with the prefix non- are most often written with a hyphen:
conductor - non-conductor.
Conversion is the process of forming a new part of speech without adding any word-forming elements. It is also called zero derivation, transition or functional replacement.
Historically, conversion resulted from words losing the endings of Old English. Now this is the dominant way of forming English verbs over all others. Usual conversion is characterized by constant use, while occasional conversion appears only in a certain context.
Verbs can be formed from nouns and adverbs: a bank – to bank / embankment – to make an embankment; down – to down / down – to go down.
Compounding implies the process of formation of new lexemes from individual morphemes, two of which are root ones: mainland - continent, forget-me-not - forget-me-not.
Compound nouns
| Subject+ | Noun+verb (zero derivation) | Flea-bite - flea bite Godsend - God's grace |
| Noun+verb (another type of substantivization): | Blood pressure | |
| Verb (neutral)+noun: | ||
| Verb+object | Verb (-ing)+ noun | Chewing-gum |
| Verb (neutral) + noun | Drawstring | |
| Noun+verb (-ing) | Book-binding | |
| Noun+verb (er) | Brick-layer | |
| Juxtaposition | Verb (-er)+noun | Fighter plane |
| Houseboat | ||
| Noun + S + man | Backwoodsman | |
| Locative | Melting pot | |
| Analogy | Soapstone | |
| Adjective+noun | Dark-room |
Compound adjectives
Complex verbs are formed by reverse word formation from nouns, adjectives and phrases by truncation of the suffix: to baby-sit from baby-sitter, to rove from rover, to house-keep from house-keeper.
Reduction implies the removal of part of the original word or phrase. This is a relatively productive way to enrich the expressive capabilities of the language. The shorter the word, the more often it is used.
Telescope– formation of a new word from two initial ones, when the new word has components of two prototypes: smog – smoke + fog, cablegram – cable + telegram.
Abbreviation- another type of abbreviation that implies the initial letters of words.
Studying English grammar and lexicology is impossible without getting acquainted with a truly special section - suffixes, which, unlike other morphemes, can transform words into a completely different meaning and belonging to a different part of speech.
Thus, the noun "horror" became the adjective "terrible." There are countless similar examples. Consequently, it is very easy to get confused, which is especially true for beginners. It is not always convenient to keep a dictionary or translator at hand; moreover, there are situations when you need to respond instantly to remarks with unfamiliar words.
That is why it is necessary to carefully understand the complex system of suffixes in the English language. This will greatly facilitate your further acquaintance with the means of foreign communication and expand your vocabulary.
Peculiarities
Almost always, formative suffixes and endings in English are confused and the latter are mistaken for the former, but this is a mistaken opinion.
There are countless of these morphemes in the English language. It is not surprising that each of them has its own meaning and different influence on the word: adding some, for example, can contribute to the removal of one of the letters or its change. In addition, certain groups can have several meanings at once. This and much more will be discussed below.
Classification
Prefixes and suffixes in the English language are usually divided into very large groups. The basis of the classification is the part of speech to which they belong.
Suffixes of nouns used in English
| -er, -or, -ar | These affixes are of great importance. Using them, you can create both animate (financier (financier), inventor (inventor), beggar (beggar)) and inanimate parts of speech (printer, scanner). Convert using suffixes –er, or, -ar in English comes from the corresponding verb. If it ends with the letter “e”, only “r” is added (use >> user). |
| -ess | Allows you to create feminine nouns. Most often used in the professional field. The most striking examples: stewardess, poetess. It is noteworthy that often the basis remains unchanged, however, as with any other rule, there are exceptions (actor >> actress). |
| -an, -ian | Covers several areas: may indicate ethnicity, state, professional affiliation: Italian, Euopean, musician. |
| -ist | Indicates the title, profession, position of a person: artist (artist), pianist (pianist), referee (referee), employee (worker), servant (servant), student (student). |
| -ee | |
| -ant, -ent | |
| -ness | The suffix ness in English helps to describe a phenomenon using qualitative characteristics or indicates a state: kindness (kindness), readiness (readiness). |
| -age | This suffix is very rich in different meanings. He can:
|
| -cy | Elements of these groups create abstract words that describe a state, quality, or action. Vivid examples: lunacy (madness), dependence (dependence). |
| -ence, -ance | |
| -ion | The suffix ion in English expresses some feeling, action or result to which it led: confusion (bewilderment), dictation (order). |
| -hood | It can describe both a state and position, as well as involvement in a community: childhood, brotherhood. |
| -ing | A tool for converting verbs into nouns: to meet >> a meeting, to hunt >> a hunting. |
| -ment | The suffix ment in English, as a rule, indicates the action or occurrence of a process. It can also represent a result: achievement, improvement. |
| -ship | A semantically rich morpheme that can serve to denote a title, some skill or attitude: lordship (Lordship), leadership (leadership). |
| -th | It is often used to describe certain measures or qualitative nouns: length (longitude), growth (height), health (health). |
Adjective suffixes in English and their meaning
| -able, -ible | This suffix can be described in several words. The epithets “available” or “possible” are suitable here: readable (readable), detectable (detectable). |
| -al | Morphemes indicate belonging to a particular phenomenon: autumnal (autumn), theatrical (theatrical), Finnic (Finnish), metallic (metal). |
| -ic | |
| -ary, -ory | Used to denote qualities, properties, effects: pecuniary (monetary), dietary (dietary), fortunate (lucky), dependent (dependent), observant (observant), nervous (nervous), righteous (righteous), malicious (evil), active (active), interesting (interesting), boring (boring), educated (educated), cold-blooded (cold-blooded). |
| -ate | |
| -ent, -ant | |
| -ous, -eous, -ious | |
| -ive | |
| -ing | |
| -ed | |
| -free | The suffix speaks for itself: the main meaning is “free from...”, “not containing.” Vivid examples are the words: child-free, sugar-free and others. |
| -ful | These two groups can be combined because the elements in them are antonymous. The suffix ful in English denotes the presence of some quality in the described phenomenon: awful (terrible), beautiful (beautiful). The suffix in English less, on the contrary, is its absence: helpless (helpless), childless (childless). |
| -less | |
| -proof | Helps to “protect” an object, as if protecting it from harmful influences: waterproof (waterproof), fireproof (heat-resistant). |
Table of verb suffixes in English with examples
| -ise, -ize | A common morpheme to denote various actions: characterize (characterize), apologize (ask for forgiveness). |
| -en | Describes the procedure for transitioning to a certain state: deepen (to go deeper), ripen (to mature). |
| -ify, -fy | Denotes the action that the stem of the word suggests: beautify (decorate), justify (justify). |
| -ate | Helps to describe the effect on an object/phenomenon; it can also mean “turn into...”: granulate (granulate), activate (activate), originate (occur). |
| -ish | The suffix ish in English indicates an attitude towards a certain group (girlish - girlish), helps to reduce the strength of some quality (yellowish - yellowish). |
English adverb suffixes
Diminutive suffixes in English
Sometimes you want to give an emotional coloring to a word in order to enhance the impact on your interlocutor or reader. For this purpose, various lexical and grammatical methods were invented. One of them is to add a special morpheme. With its help, you can evoke a whole range of feelings: from tenderness to contempt.
Examples of diminutive suffixes:
| let | islet |
| kin | boykin |
| ule | animacule |
| ette | kitchenette |
| ock | hillok |
| ling | catling, weakling |
| let | kinglet |
Using these morphemes, you can make memorable sentences, emphasize any qualities and details that are important in a particular context.