Kinds of Noun-Forming Suffixes

a.      –ity

This suffix is used to form nouns from adjectives just as –ness. It also expresses a state or condition, a degree or measure of condition, etc.

Example:

1.      Active à activity ( A – N )

2.      Specific à specificity ( A – N )

Discussion:

            Example number one, the word ‘active’ is combined with the suffix ‘-ity’ the word becomes ‘activity’. The word ‘active’ means ‘always busy doing something’, while ‘activity’ means ‘a situation in which something is happening’.

           

b.      –ion

‘-ion’ is the suffix that derives verb into noun. It expresses action of state of.

Example:

1.      Predict à prediction ( V – N )

2.      Act à action ( V – N )

Discussion:

            The first example the word is ‘predict’. After it is combined with the suffix ‘-ion’, the word becomes ‘prediction’. ‘predict’ means ‘to say that something will happen in the future’, while ‘prediction’ means ‘a statement that you think will happen’.

           

c.       –ness

This suffix is usually added to adjectives. However, it cannot be applied to every adjective. It usually indicates a state, quality or character.

Example:

1.      Sad à sadness ( A – N )

2.      Happy à happiness ( A – N )

Discussion:

            The first example the word is ‘sad’. After it is combined with the suffix ‘-ness’, the word becomes ‘sadness’. ‘sad’ means ‘unhappy’, while ‘sadness’ means ‘the feeling of being sad’.

d.      –ment

This suffix forms nouns related to action, process, cause or effect of an action, etc. Though –ment usually forms noun form from verbs, occasionally adjectives can have this suffix, as in the example below.

Example:

1.      Develop à development ( V – N )

2.      Employ à employment ( V – N )

Discussion:

The first example is ‘develop’. After it is combined with the suffix ‘-ment’, the word becomes ‘development’. ‘develop’ means ‘become or make something larger’, while ‘development’ means ‘gradual growth of something’.