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Nouns

Noun Suffix | List of Noun Suffixes with Easy Examples

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In the English language, you can categorize suffixes by grammatical function to create smaller units of study. Adjective suffixes and noun suffixes are examples of these grammatical categories. Each group has the ability to transform the function of a word.

Noun Suffix

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Noun Suffix – Created by 7ESL

What Is A Noun Suffix?

A noun suffix is a set of suffixes that change a root word‘s grammatical case into a noun. In other words, a group of letters placed on the end of the root word converts verbs and adjectives into nouns. These noun suffixes add new meanings to the root word. Also, they create a new word.

An easy way to create a noun from a verb is to add the -er ending to the root word. For example, adding –er to verb protest creates the noun protester. Adding the -er shifts the meaning from action to someone performing an action. In other words, a protester is a person who protests. Most words with the -er ending will be nouns. Knowing this can help you identify nouns more quickly in sentences.

Noun Suffixes Examples

The examples below show how to use a noun suffix in a sentence.

  • The protester worked for hours generating flyers.
  • Her message got lost in translation.
  • His friendship with Ken melted away.
  • The gallery held 989 works of art.
  • The demonstration took several hours.

Noun Suffixes

There are many different noun suffixes to learn. Learning the typical noun suffixes will help you identify more nouns. Below find a list of noun suffixes to turn a verb or adjective into a noun.

List of Noun Suffixes

-tion (action)

-ity (state or condition)

  • stupidity
  • activity
  • nativity
  • reality

-er (someone or something participating in an action)

  • protester
  • runner
  • publisher
  • driver

-ness (state or condition)

  • kindness
  • gentleness
  • mindfulness
  • tenderness

-ism (practice or state)

  • multiculturalism
  • conservatism
  • idealism
  • tourism

-ment (action or instance)

  • punishment
  • employment
  • wonderment
  • development

-ship (state of being)

  • friendship
  • kinship
  • citizenship
  • internship

-age (action/ instance result of a verb)

  • damage
  • breakage
  • wastage
  • message

-ery (behavioral condition or location)

  • bravery
  • scenery
  • gallery
  • nursery

-th (a state or quality)

  • depth
  • warmth
  • strength
  • overgrowth

Related

B1 Knowledge Check · 5 questions

Noun Suffixes Practice Quiz (B1-B2)

1 / 5
Q1

Question 1: The government announced a new program to encourage ___ among young people.

Question 1 options
'Tourism' is correct because the suffix '-ism' forms a noun meaning a practice or activity. 'Touring', 'toured', and 'tours' are verb forms or a plural noun, not the abstract noun needed here.
Q2

Question 2: What is the main purpose of adding the suffix '-ness' to an adjective such as 'kind'?

Question 2 options
'To form a noun expressing a state or condition' is correct because '-ness' converts adjectives into nouns that describe a quality or condition, such as 'kindness'. The suffix does not create verbs, adverbs, or comparatives.
Q3

Question 3: Manager: 'We need someone to lead the new project.' Employee: 'I think James would be perfect — his ___ with the team is excellent.'

Question 3 options
'Leadership' is correct because the suffix '-ship' forms a noun expressing a state or quality of being a leader, which fits the context of describing a professional quality. 'Leading', 'leader', and 'led' are not nouns formed with '-ship' and do not fit this specific context.
Q4

Question 4: The athletes showed great ___ during the final minutes of the competition.

Question 4 options
'Bravery' is correct because it is formed by adding the suffix '-ery' to 'brave', creating a noun that expresses a behavioural quality. 'Brave', 'bravely', and 'braver' are an adjective, adverb, and comparative adjective respectively — not nouns.
Q5

Question 5: Match each sentence to the correct noun suffix rule used.

Question 5 options
The registration process took a long time.
The reality of the situation was difficult to accept.
The breakage of the equipment cost the company money.
The scenery along the coast was breathtaking.
Suffix '-age': noun expressing result of a verb
Suffix '-ery': noun expressing location or condition
Suffix '-ity': noun of state or condition from an adjective
Suffix '-tion': noun of action from a verb

Select an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.

Each suffix has a specific function: '-tion' forms nouns of action from verbs, '-ity' forms nouns of state from adjectives, '-age' forms nouns expressing result of an action, and '-ery' forms nouns expressing a behavioural condition or location.

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