WORD INQUIRY - NOUN FORMING SUFFIXES
We are inquiring into how nouns can be formed by adding suffixes to their
related verbs.
You will need : a Dictionary; a list of Prefixes and Suffixes; Scissors; Your
English Book
Let’s look at an example:
The Sydney Harbour Bridge was built during the Depression. On 19th March, 1932, over one million people
joined in the celebrations for the completion of the bridge. This year, Sydneysiders will celebrate once
occasion. This special occasion will be marked by a fireworks demonstration and a light show.Join in
celebrations for the 90th birthday of the construction of Sydney Harbour Bridge. Ent this special occasion
there will be a fireworks demonstration and a procession of vintage cars.
We can also say:
● The word ‘celebrate’ is a VERB - an action - something we can do.
● The word ‘celebration’ is a NOUN - it names something and it is the result of an action to celebrate;
● Are these words related or in the same WORD FAMILY? How could we prove it?
● The word ‘celebration’ is in the same word family as ‘celebrate ’ and we formed it by
adding the suffix -ion
If we look at its WORD SUMS, we see this pattern.
celebrate ---> celebrate
celebrate +ion ---> celebration
TASK 1: Forming NOUNS
Complete the table of VERBS and NOUNS below by adding a suffix to
the verbs found in the word table. You can use your dictionary to check
for the nouns if you need to.
eg relate
→ relation; inform →information
entertain → entertainment;
CC Dictionary Image Wikimedia Commons
FORMING NOUNS from VERBS
VERBS
(an action)
protect
populate
conserve
survive
treat
donate
act
injure
encourage
persuade
evolve
adopt
explore
inhabit
instruct
adapt
revive
damage
advocate
promote
NOUNS
( the result of the action verb)
protection
Task 2: Word Sort
Cut out the NOUNS - the words in the right hand column of your table - and sort
them into groups by suffix ending? What do you notice? eg. What are the
most common suffixes? Are there other suffixes which can form nouns?
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Task 3 : Sentence Writing
Choose three VERB / NOUN pairs and write sentences in your English book with
them to show how we can express the same idea using the NOUNS or the VERB.
(See our example)
We urgently need to protect our koalas. (Verb)
We could also say:
Protection for Australia’s koala population is urgently needed. (Noun)