For English learners: The suffix “ence” - Part 9A
When we add “ence” to many verbs, these verbs are changed to a noun or adjective.
To form nouns from verbs ending in a stressed “er” or “ur”, add “ence”.
| Verb | Suffix | Noun/Adjective |
|---|---|---|
| confer | + ence | conference |
| correspond | + ence | correspondence |
| defer | + ence | deference |
| differ | + ence | difference |
| infer | + ence | inference |
Add “ence” when the root ends is a soft “c” or “g”.
| Verb | Suffix | Noun/Adjective |
|---|---|---|
| innocent | + ence | innocence |
| intelligent | + ence | intelligence |
When the verb root ending ends in a stressed “er” or “ere”, and “ence” or “nce”.
| Verb | Suffix | Noun/Adjective |
|---|---|---|
| adhere | + nce | adherence |
| cohere | + nce | coherence |
| interfere | + nce | interference |
| Exception: | ||
| persevere | + ance | perseverance |
Many adjectives which end in “ent” become nouns by changing the “t” to “ce”.
| Adjective | Suffix | Noun/Adjective |
|---|---|---|
| absent | + ce | absence |
| affluent | + ce | affluence |
| present | + ce | presence |
When the root verb contains “esce”, and ends with “ent”, change the “t” to “ce”.
| Verb | Suffix | Noun/Adjective |
|---|---|---|
| acquiescent | + ce | acquiescence |
| fluorescent | + ce | fluorescence |
| senescent | + ce | senescence |
The core syllables “cid”, “fid”, “sid”, “vid”, “flu”, “qu”, “sist”, and “ist” are usually followed by “ence”.
| Verb | Suffix | Noun/Adjective |
|---|---|---|
| confide | + nce | confidence |
| evident | + ce | evidence |
| coincide | + nce | coincidence |
| consequent | + ce | consequence |
| exist | + ence | existence |
| influent | + ce | influence |
| insist | + ence | insistence |
| Exceptions: | ||
| assist | + ance | assistance |
| resist | + ance | resistance |
Double a final single consonant before “ence”, when both of these conditions exist:
(1) a single vowel precedes the consonant
(2) the consonant ends in an accented syllable or a one-word syllable
| Verb | Suffix | Noun/Adjective |
|---|---|---|
| concur | double “rr” + ence | concurrence |
| occur | double “rr” + ence | occurrence |
Miscellaneous:
| Verb | Suffix | Noun/Adjective |
|---|---|---|
| defend | drop 2nd “d” + ce | defence, defense (Brit, USA) |
| fend | drop “d” + ce | fence |
| intend | drop “d” + “t” | intent |
| offend | drop “d” + ce | offence |
| pretend | drop “d” + ce | pretence, pretense (Brit, USA) |
Challenge:
English or Spanish learners: Matching: The Suffix “ance” - Part 9B
