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’.
