Word formation in English is the formation of new words from existing words, by adding prefixes, suffixes, changing word classes or forming compound words. This is one of the basic grammar points that must be grasped when learning English. In this article, IDP IELTS will explore in detail the rules of word formation in English.
1. Word Formation Rules in English
Noun Formation
Add suffixes to verbs, adjectives, or nouns to form nouns:
Verb + -er / -or / -ar → person or agent paint → painter sail → sailor beg → beggar
Verb + -ion / -ment / -ing → abstract nouns decide → decision improve → improvement train → training
Root + -dom / -hood / -ism wise → wisdom child → childhood social → socialism
Adjective + -ness / -ty / -ity happy → happiness honest → honesty active → activity
Verb + -ant → actor or object assist → assistant participate → participant serve → servant
Irregular forms choose → choice speak → speech prove → proof
Adjective Formation
Add suffixes to nouns or verbs to make adjectives:
Verb/noun + -able / -ible read → readable access → accessible
Noun + -al / -ish / -y / -ly / -like nature → natural boy → boyish rain → rainy time → timely
Noun + -ful / -less hope → hopeful care → careless
Verb + -ing / -ed interest → interesting bore → bored
Noun changes comprehension → comprehensive explosion → explosive
Noun + -ern / -en north → northern wood → wooden
–ous / -antial danger → dangerous substance → substantial
Noun + -ic / -some / -esque economy → economic trouble → troublesome picture → picturesque
Irregular conversions passion → passionate obey → obedient confidence → confident
Adverb Formation
Most adverbs are formed with –ly added to adjectives:
quick → quickly
careful → carefully
happy → happily
Some adverbs are identical to adjectives: fast, hard, late. Note that words like hard and hardly or late and lately differ in meaning.
Compound Words
Noun compounds by combining words:
noun + noun (bus + station → bus station),
adjective + noun (deep + sea → deepsea),
verb + noun (washing + machine → washing machine).
Adjective compounds:
single word: hardworking,
hyphenated: high-speed, newly-built, open-minded, duty-free.
Hyphens appear before nouns but are removed after the verb to be.
2. Common Suffixes by Word Class
Word Class | Common Suffixes | Example |
|---|---|---|
Verb | -ize, -en, -ify, -ate | apologize, strengthen, classify, activate |
Adjective | -y, -ic, -al, -ful, -less, -able, -ous | rainy, historic, natural, cheerful, homeless, reliable, famous |
Noun | -er/-or, -ee, -tion/-ment/-ness/-hood/-ship | runner, trainee, decision, enjoyment, kindness, brotherhood, leadership |
3. Practice Exercise
Fill in the blanks with the correct word form:
He is curious a boy.
Pupils did the exercises easily.
Keep silent!
Be careful in your work!
Time passes slowly when alone.
He drives carefully.
HCMC is an important commercial center.
We have a weekly newspaper.
This exercise seems difficult.
She can help Alice make a good choice.
He has recently bought a new car.
It is too expensive for me to buy.
How beautiful those shop windows are!
She finished her best performance.
The cartoon last night was very interesting.
Build Stronger Vocabulary with IDP
Understanding word formation helps you use vocabulary flexibly in IELTS and everyday English. Keep practicing with IDP’s free materials to grow your word knowledge effectively.
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