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English word formation with examples – Word building

What is word formation? – It is possible to form multiple words from one word. The act of replacing a part of speech with a prefix or suffix in another part of speech is called word formation or word building. Let’s see examples of English word formation

There are two types of words-

  1. Primary words – Words that remain in their original form without any prefix or suffix are called primary words or root words. like- books, shoes, play, windows, tables, chairs,s, etc.
  2. Compound words – Words formed by the combination of two or more words are called compound words. like- Post+master = Postmaster, Beauty + full = Beautiful, etc.

Word formation of nouns from verbs

Nouns are formed by adding ment, tion, use, sy, con, ance, ence, al etc. to the end of the verb. like-

Verb WordsNoun Word
ArriveArrival
ApproveApproval
AgreeAgreement
ArrangeArrangement
AppointAppointment
AdmireAdmiration
AdmitAdmission
AppearAppearance
AssureAssurance
AnnounceAnnouncement
AttendAttendance
BreakBreakage
BuryBurial
CarryCarriage
CloseClosure
DeliverDelivery
DevelopDevelopment
EnterEntry
EmployEmployment
ExamineExamination
EducateEducation
GovernGovernment
HinderHindrance
InformInformation
InheritInheritance
ImproveImprovement
InventInvention
InterfereInterference
loseloss
MarryMarriage
MixMixture
PleasePleasure
PossessPossession
ProposeProposal
PreparePreparation
PermitPermission
RefuseRefusal
ResignResignation
RecoverRecovery
StopStoppage
SeparateSeparation
AbleAbility
ActiveActivity
BoldBoldness
BrightBrightness
CleaverCleverness
EagerEagerness
EqualEquality
HardHardness
HeavyHeaviness
LoyalLoyalty
NobleNobility
PossiblePossibility
PurePurity
RealReality
ShyShyness

Word building of nouns from Adjectives

AdjectiveNoun
AbleAbility
BraveBrevity
CertainCertainty
CheapCheapness
DeepDepth
ExcellentExcellence
FrankFrankness
GenerousGenerosity
GraveGrief
Hotheat
ImmenseImmensity
justJustice
LoyalLoyalty
LargeLargeness

Formation of Adjectives from Nouns

Adding y, full, al, ous, able etc. to the end of the noun becomes an adjective. like-

NounAdjective
AccidentAccidental
BloodBloody
ConditionConditional
DesireDesirable
EaseEasy
FlowerFlowery
honorHonorable
HungerHungry
IceIcy
MagicMagical
MemoryMemorable
MilkMilky
NationNational
RespectRespectable
StarStarry
StormStormy
ThirstThirsty
ValueValuable
WorthWorthy

Formation of Verbs from Nouns

Verbs are formed by adding en, ize, ise, fy, x etc. after the noun. like-

NounVerbs
ApologyApologize
AdviceAdvise
BeautyBeautify
BathBathe
BeliefBelieve
CriticCriticize
ClothClothe
FrightFrighten
HasteHasten
HalfHalve
JusticeJustify
LifeLive
LightLighten
MemoryMemorize
OriginOriginate
PeacePacify
PractisePractice
SaleSell
SystemSystematize
SympathySympathize
TerrorTerrify
TermTerminate
ThreatThreaten

Word Formation of Verbs from Adjective

En, ize, ise are added at the end to form a verb from an adjective. to like-

AdjectiveVerbs
BlackBlacken
RedRedden
EqualEqualize
CivilCivilize
ShortShorten
WideWiden
SpecialSpecialize

Note: Adding prefix/suffix to the root English word changes the part of speech and meaning.

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