Word Formation : Nouns to Adjectives for class 5

Definition

Words can be changed from one part of speech to another by adding or changing the suffix to the main word.

• The new formed word or adjective will give more information on the noun.
• The most common suffixes used to form adjectives are -ly, -al, -ary, -ical, ous, -ful, -ish, -ic, -less, -y, -like, -ive,-ative, -eous, -ious, -ent, -ance and -ant. For instance, the noun ‘importance’ can be changed into the adjective ‘important’ by adding the suffix -ant.

Example : 

• The beauty of the movie is in the performance of its actors.
• It is a beautiful movie.

In the above sentence, the root noun beauty has been changed to an adjective beautiful by adding the suffix -ful.

 

Adding Suffix to a Noun to Make an Adjective

 

 

Make Adjectives from Noun

Certain suffixes can be used to make adjectives from Noun. Let us have a look at them below with its rules:

 

Adjectives ending with ‘al’

• Certain suffixes will change a noun into one that modifies another as per the state of being.
• For example, the suffix ‘-al’ can be used with the noun ‘accident’ to form the adjective ‘accidental,’ which is the state of being in an accident.

 

Adjectives ending with ‘ous’

• Adjectives that relate a noun to a quality can be formed by using the suffix ‘-ary’ or ‘-ous’.
• For example, the adjective ‘poisonous’ is formed from the word ‘poison.’

 

Adjectives ending with ‘ful’

• The suffix ‘-ful’ can be added to some nouns to form adjectives that indicate ‘full’ of the quality expressed by the root word. So ‘beauty’ becomes ‘beautiful’, ‘wonder’ becomes ‘wonderful’, skill becomes ‘skilful’.
• However, some formations have their spellings changed. The ‘-y’ in beauty becomes an ‘-i’ when changed to ‘beautiful.’ The ‘-e’ in ‘awe’ is omitted to form the adjective ‘awful.’

 

Adjectives ending with ‘ic’, ‘ical’ & ‘ish’

• Adjectives can also be formed that changes a noun and express a part of its nature. These suffixes include ‘-ical,’ ‘-ic,’ and ‘-ish’.
• For example the noun ‘photograph’ can be changed into ‘photographic’ by adding the suffix – ic.
• However, some of these nouns need a spelling change. In ‘base’ and ‘athlete’ the final ‘-e’ is dropped before adding the suffix -ic to form the adjectives ‘basic’ and ‘athletic’. The noun ‘history’ has its ‘-y’ dropped before the ‘-ic’ can be added to make it ‘historic’.

 

Adjectives ending with ‘ly’

• The suffixes that indicate how a changed noun is similar to the root word of an adjective are ‘-ly,’ ‘-like,’ and ‘-y.’ Usually no spelling changes occur while using these suffixes.
• For example nouns like ‘child,’ and ‘rain’, ‘friend,’, ‘wind’ change into ‘childlike,’ ‘friendly,’ and ‘windy’, ‘rainy’.
• Sometimes, minor spelling changes can take place. Sometimes before adding the suffix ‘-y,’ the last consonant is doubled. So ‘fun’ changes into ‘funny’ and ‘spot’ transforms into ‘spotty.’
• For nouns like anger, hunger, the e is dropped and the suffix ‘-y,’ is added at the end.

 

Common Mistakes

1. If the noun ends with an e, the ‘e’ is dropped, and the suffix used is either -y or -al or -ial to form an adjective.

Examples:

Finance → Financial

Finance → Financeial

Nature → Natural

Nature → Natural

 

2. If the noun ends with the letter ‘y’, it is removed, and the suffix-ic or -ful is usually added in its place.

Example:

Tragedy → Tragic

 

Exceptions

1. Some of the adjectives might have two kinds of suffix endings: -ic or -ical. However, their meanings do vary. So remember that, whenever you come across a pair like identity/identical,historic/historical, economic/economical,classic/classical.

         Examples:

         a. identity/identical

             Identity – the fact of being what a thing or a person is.

             Did you get your identity card?

             Identical - same or similar.

             Your shirt is identical to mine.

 

          b. economic/economical

              Economic - related to industry, trade, or money

              Sri Lanka is facing a major economic crisis.

              Economical - affordable

              Combo meals are usually very economical.

 

           c. classic/classical

              Historic- important event in history

              I am lucky enough to witness this historic moment.

              Historical -pertaining to history

              Qutab Minar is a historical monument in India.

 

Look at the mind map for quick reference: