Lesson 2: Common Suffixes for Nouns
Turning Actions and Descriptions into Things
In our last lesson, you learned how a **prefix** at the beginning of a word can change its meaning. Now, let's look at the end of a word! Letters that we add to the end of a word are called "suffixes1". Suffixes can change a word's type, for example, changing a verb2 (action) or an adjective3 (description) into a noun4 (a thing, idea, or state).
Suffix 1: "-tion" / "-sion"
This common suffix turns a verb into a noun that means the *action or process* of that verb.
- inform (verb) ➞ information (noun)
- educate (verb) ➞ education (noun)
- decide (verb) ➞ decision (noun)
Suffix 2: "-ment"
This suffix also often changes a verb into a noun, meaning the *result or action* of the verb.
- develop (verb) ➞ development (noun)
- agree (verb) ➞ agreement (noun)
- improve (verb) ➞ improvement (noun)
Suffix 3: "-ness"
This suffix turns an adjective into a noun that means the *state or quality* of being that adjective.
- happy (adjective) ➞ happiness (noun)
- kind (adjective) ➞ kindness (noun)
- sad (adjective) ➞ sadness (noun)
Suffix 4: "-er" / "-or"
This suffix is added to a verb to create a noun for the *person who does the action*.
- teach (verb) ➞ teacher (noun)
- work (verb) ➞ worker (noun)
- drive (verb) ➞ driver (noun)
- act (verb) ➞ actor (noun)
Usage Note: Recognizing Word Types
Learning these suffixes helps you understand sentences better. If you see a word ending in '-tion', '-ment', or '-ness', it is very likely a noun.
- "We need to decide (verb)." ➞ "It was a good decision (noun)."
- "He is happy (adjective)." ➞ "I wish you happiness (noun)."
In Conversation
Srey and Bora are discussing a new work project.
Bora: I made a big decision today. My boss and I made an agreement about a new project.
Srey: That's great! What is it about?
Bora: It's about the development of a new tour for tourists. It's a big improvement over our old tours.
Srey: That sounds like it will bring a lot of happiness to the visitors.
Bora: I hope so. My friend is the main driver on the project. He's a very hard worker.
Srey: I'm sure he will do a good job. He just needs the right information to start.
quiz Check Your Understanding
1. What is the noun form of the verb 'to inform'?
- a) informness
- b) informment
- c) information
Click to see the answer
Answer: c) information
2. To describe the state of being kind, we use the word ______.
- a) kindness
- b) kindment
- c) kindtion
Click to see the answer
Answer: a) kindness
3. A person who drives a car is a ______.
- a) drive-tion
- b) driver
- c) drive-ment
Click to see the answer
Answer: b) driver
edit Your Mission
- Word Families: In your notebook, write the noun forms of these words: 1. agree (verb) ➞ ? 2. sad (adjective) ➞ ? 3. educate (verb) ➞ ?
- Notebook Practice: Start a new page in your notebook called 'Suffixes'. Write down each suffix from this lesson and two examples for each.
- Speak: Your mission is to use one noun that ends in '-tion' and one that ends in '-ness' in a conversation. (e.g., "Thank you for the information." "I appreciate your kindness.")
book Lesson Glossary
- Suffix (noun) - Khmer: បច្ច័យ (pach-chay) - A letter or group of letters added to the end of a word to change its meaning or function. ↩
- Verb (noun) - Khmer: កិរិយាស័ព្ទ (ke-ri-ya-sap) - A word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence. ↩
- Adjective (noun) - Khmer: គុណនាម (kunnaneam) - A word that describes a noun. ↩
- Noun (noun) - Khmer: នាម (niem) - A word that is the name of a person, place, thing, or idea. ↩