Word Formation: Noun Derivation 2

Starter

Last lesson, you saw how suffixes could make nouns into people or objects that do a job. E.g.

• write - writer
• boil - boiler

Look at these three other examples. What's different about them? 

• arrive - arrival
• boy - boyhood
• happy - happiness

These three examples all use different suffixes to create abstract nouns.

Abstract nouns refer to an idea rather than a real object or person.  

• arrive - arrival
• boy - boyhood
• happy - happiness

Activity 1

Read the following sentences.

For each, convert the base word in brackets into an abstract noun using the appropriate suffix. 

1. He was very nervous, but his (perform) went well.
2. The newspaper's (cover) of the World Cup was excellent.
3. The scouts were responsible for the (organise) of the event.
4. People were protesting against the (close) of the local library.
5. Andy's (train) as a carpenter is going well.

1. He was very nervous but his performance went well. 
2. The newspaper's coverage of the World Cup was excellent. 
3. The scouts were responsible for the organisation of the event. 
4. People were protesting against the closure of the local library. 
5. Andy's training as a carpenter is going well. 

Convert this list of base words into abstract nouns and write a sentence using each one. 

1. appear
2. confess
3. depart
4. land
5. rehearse

Here are some example sentences using the correct suffix:

1. At the appearance of the headmaster, the students fell silent. 
2. The police interrogated the suspects to get a confession. 
3. They asked at the kiosk for the time of departure. 
4. They all applauded the safe landing after the turbulence. 
5. I have to go to rehearsal every week for the concert. 

Activity 2

We can also add suffixes to nouns which mean a particular status or period in a person's life. 

• boy - boyhood

Look at this list of nouns. Along with -hood, what other suffxies can we use? 

1. child
2. member
3. king
4. father
5. citizen
6. star

Write a sentence using each of these abstract nouns. 

1. childhood
2. membership
3. kingdom
4. fatherhood
5. citizenship
6. stardom

We can also turn adjectives into abstract nouns by using suffxies. 

• happy - happiness

Look at his list of adjectives. Along with -ness, what other suffxies can we use?

1. blind
2. empty
3. cruel
4. brutal
5. intense
6. polite
7. regular
8. tired

Write a sentence using each of these abstract nouns. 

1. blindness
2. emptiness
3. cruelty
4. brutality
5. intensity
6. politeness
7. regularity
8. tiredness

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