Basic HTML Version
2
NB
-ish
is a suffix that can be used with both nouns and adjectives to form an adjective*.
Many adjectives are formed from a base of a different class of word using a suffix.
The most common suffixes are:
-able
,
-al
,
-ent
,
-ful
,
-ive
,
-less
,
-ous
; which, when added to verbs,
nouns or adjectives, form adjectives.
*
-
ish
is a suffix that is usually used more in
spoken than in written English. It diminishes the
quality of the word: e.g. adjectives -
goodish
(fairly good),
fastish
(quite fast),
cleanish
(could
be cleaner),
hottish
(quite warm), etc.; nouns
-
childish
(negative meaning),
bookish
(likes
books - neutral), whereas
ish
said on its own
means
so, so
.
When a negative prefix (e.g.
a-
,
un-
,
in-
,
im-
,
il-
,
non-
,
dis-
) is added to an adjective it reverses the meaning
and, sometimes, even changes it.
-able
-al
-ent
-ful
-ive
-less
-ous
lovable
political
excellent
beautiful
active
careless
dangerous
drinkable
central
intelligent
peaceful
imaginative
mindless
famous
avoidable
surgical
different
careful
descriptive
homeless
dextrous
countable
ethical
dependent
thoughtful
repetitive
endless
ferrous
Example 2
Example 3
Example 4
Example 1
Suffix
-age
-er
-ful
-less
-ship
collection of
person involved in
with
without
state or quality
baggage, wastage
engineer, astronomer
hopeful, beautiful
careless, useless
leadership, friendship
Noun (N) + suffix = noun (abstract noun)
Progetto FOR MECHANICALS_unit_1.indd 27
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