Noun & adjective suffixes
-tion, -ness, -ment, -ful, -less, -able.
The rules
- Verb → noun with "-tion": attend → attention (in the sense of noticing).
- Adjective → noun with "-ness": dark → darkness.
- "-less" = without: countless, careless, hopeless.
- "-able" = can be done: usable = can be used. (Careful: "useful" = helpful.)
- "-ful" = full of: delightful, helpful, careful.
- "-ment" attaches to verbs: improvement, development, agreement.
Examples
- Her attention to detail makes her a great editor. (attend)
- The darkness of the room surprised us. (dark)
- countless
- This knife is barely usable any more. (use)
- Thank you for a truly delightful evening. (delight)
- improvement
Quick check
Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1.Her _____ to detail makes her a great editor. (attend)
2.The _____ of the room surprised us. (dark)
3.Which word means "cannot be counted"?
4.This knife is barely _____ any more. (use)
5.Thank you for a truly _____ evening. (delight)