Word formation

Some adjectives are formed from nouns and others are formed from verbs. The word forms are from Latin, Greek and other languages. There is no simple rule for adding suffixes, but there are common patterns. HELP

  • -able/-ible understandable, capable, readable, incredible
  • -al mathematical, functional, influential, chemical
  • -ful beautiful, helpful, harmful
  • -ic artistic, manic, rustic, terrific
  • -ive submissive, intuitive, inventive, attractive
  • -less sleeveless, hopeless, groundless, restless
  • -ous gorgeous, dangerous, adventurous, fabulous

Use the suffixes in the table to form adjectives from the words below.

-able/-ible -al -ic -ful -ive -ous

1.success
 13.commerce
2.continue
 14.intensity
3.practice
 15.direction
4.scientist
 16.electricity
5.prestige
 17.vary
6.remark
 18.expense
7.structure
 19.response
8.fame
 20.danger
9.stress
 21.rely
10.create
 22.event
11.break
 23.believe
12.explosion
 24.magnet
    
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Fill in the gaps with the right form of the words in BOLD
a)
When a child, Shannon turned out to be mathematically talented and received    encouragement from his grandfather. (SCIENTIST)
b)
In 1905 he patented his horizontal    aerial. (DIRECTION)
c)
MIT was one of the most    institutions conducting research in information sciences. (PRESTIGE)
d)
Developing efficient information transmitting methods made long-distance telephone and telegraph lines more.     (RELY)
e)
He continued to work on the construction of telegraph and developed his first    invention. (SUCCESS)
f)
His disappearance has been the subject of    investigation. (INTENSE)
    
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