The English suffix, "-ness" -- abstract nouns -- Part 1A
Suffix: One reason we normally use suffixes is to change a word to a different part of speech.
One class of nouns is abstract. Your five senses cannot detect this group of nouns. You cannot see them, hear them, smell them, taste them, or feel them.
The suffix ending "-ness" can be added to any adjective and most past participles to create abstract nouns. (This review will not discuss past participles)
Remember, "-ness" is only one of a number of noun suffixes.
Example: "-ness"
| adjective | + "ness" | noun |
|---|---|---|
| great | + ness | greatness |
| sad | + ness | sadness |
| weak | + ness | weakness |
Retain the final “e” before a suffix beginning with a consonant.
Example: "-ness"
| adjective | + "ness" | noun |
|---|---|---|
| coarse | + ness | coarseness |
| like | + ness | likeness |
The final “y” proceeded by a consonant changes to “i”.
Example: "-ness"
| adjective | + "ness" | noun |
|---|---|---|
| baggy | + ness | bagginess |
| happy | + ness | happiness |
| hungry | + ness | hungriness |
| ready | + ness | readiness |
| tidy | + ness | tidiness |
A word may start as a verb, and with a suffix become an adjective, and with a second suffix become a noun.
Example: "ful" and "ness"
| verb | + "ful" | adjective | + "ness" | noun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| help | + ful | helpful | + ness | helpfulness |
| forget | + ful | forgetful | + ness | forgetfulness |
Challenge: The English suffix, "-ness" -- Part 1A -- Matching
