In learning English, using the correct word form is vital for accurate writing and speaking. Though this is not an extremely difficult grammar topic, mastering the rules helps you score full marks in IELTS. Read on to grasp all the theories and practical applications of word forms.
1. What Is Word Form?
Word Form (or Word Formation) refers to different forms of a base word used in specific contexts. You can add prefixes, suffixes, or internal changes to create new forms with different grammatical roles and meanings.
Knowing word families allows you to express ideas more diversely. Word forms include nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs drawn from the same root.
Example with “decide”:
Noun: decision
Verb: decide
Adjective: decisive
Adverb: decisively
All forms relate to the concept of making a decision but function differently in sentences.
2. Forming Nouns
2.1 Positions of Nouns
Subject: My friend threw the ball.
Object: Boys love playing football.
Complement: We are workers.
After possessives: Her mother is a scientist.
After prepositions: Dirty linen should be washed at home.
With articles/determiners: This book is interesting.
2.2 Common Suffixes for Nouns
Suffix | From | Example |
|---|---|---|
-tion / -sion | verb | act → action |
-ment | verb | invest → investment |
-ance / -ence | verb | perform → performance |
-er / -or | verb | teach → teacher |
-ant / -ee | verb | attend → attendant |
-age | verb | pack → package |
-ing | verb | swim → swimming |
-ity | adjective | real → reality |
-ness | adjective | happy → happiness |
-ism | noun | race → racism |
-ist | noun | art → artist |
-ship | noun | friend → friendship |
2.3 Prefixes for Nouns
Prefix | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
super- | above or extra | superstar |
under- | below or insufficient | underground |
sub- | below | submarine |
sur- | over | surface |
3. Forming Verbs
3.1 Positions of Verbs
After subject: He plays the guitar.
With adverbs: She dances beautifully.
3.2 Common Verb Conversions
Pattern | From | Example |
|---|---|---|
-ise / -ize | noun or adjective | symbol → symbolize |
-en | adjective | tight → tighten |
en- | noun/adjective/verb | courage → encourage |
over- | verb | eat → overeat |
under- | verb | estimate → underestimate |
out- | verb | weigh → outweigh |
4. Forming Adjectives
4.1 Positions of Adjectives
Before noun: Beautiful music played.
After linking verbs: That girl is smart.
4.2 Common Suffixes & Prefixes
Suffix / Prefix | From | Example |
|---|---|---|
-ful | noun | power → powerful |
-less | noun | hope → hopeless |
-ly | noun | day → daily |
-y | noun | cloud → cloudy |
-ous | noun | space → spacious |
-ish | noun | child → childish |
-al | noun | culture → cultural |
-able | verb | afford → affordable |
-ible | verb | resist → resistible |
-ive | verb | attract → attractive |
super- | adj | natural → supernatural |
under- | adj | developed → underdeveloped |
un- / in-/ im-/ ir-/ il- | adj (negative) | friendly → unfriendly |
Compound Adjectives:
middle + aged → middle-aged
well + known → well-known
5. Forming Adverbs
5.1 Positions of Adverbs
Before main verb: They often visit.
Between auxiliary and main verb: I have recently finished.
After linking verbs: She is very pretty.
5.2 Common Suffixes
Suffix | From | Example |
|---|---|---|
-ly | adjective | soft → softly |
-ally | adjective | basic → basically |
6. Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Choose the correct form in brackets
I had a ___ conversation with her. (meaning)
He speaks English ___ (fluent)
The ___ of the movie was unexpected. (end)
She plays the piano ___ (good)
He needs to ___ his skills. (develop)
The dancer moved ___. (graceful)
He is a very ___ student. (hard)
She did the task ___. (careful)
They performed ___ (successful)
The dog barked ___ all night. (constant)
Exercise 2: Identify the form type
Beautiful
Quickly
Elephant
Happily
Running
Friendship
Slowly
Exciting
Sing
Strong
Answers
Exercise 1:
meaningful
fluently
ending
well
develop
gracefully
hard
carefully
successfully
constantly
Exercise 2:
adjective
adverb
noun
adverb
verb
noun
adverb
adjective
verb
adjective
Final Tips
Understanding and practicing word form rules enables you to confidently tackle various English tasks. Use resources like dictionaries and regular exercises to customize your range. If you're ready to take IELTS, IDP offers globally recognized Academic and General training tests and free practice materials.
Register for IELTS with IDP today!