Vocabulary: Word Formation & Morphology (B1) - Lesson 2: Common Suffixes for Nouns

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 "suffixes". Suffixes can change a word's type, for example, changing a verb (action) or an adjective (description) into a noun (a thing, idea, or state).

Key Vocabulary

• Suffix (noun) | បច្ច័យ
  A letter or group of letters added to the end of a word to change its meaning or function.
• Verb (noun) | កិរិយាស័ព្ទ
  A word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence.
• Adjective (noun) | គុណនាម
  A word that describes a noun.
• Noun (noun) | នាម
  A word that is the name of a person, place, thing, or idea.

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.

Check Your Understanding

1. What is the noun form of the verb 'to inform'?
   • a) informness
   • b) informment
   • c) information
   Answer: c) information

2. To describe the state of being kind, we use the word ______.
   • a) kindness
   • b) kindment
   • c) kindtion
   Answer: a) kindness

3. A person who drives a car is a ______.
   • a) drive-tion
   • b) driver
   • c) drive-ment
   Answer: b) driver

Your Mission

1. Word Families: In your notebook, write the noun forms of these words: 1. agree (verb) ➞ ? 2. sad (adjective) ➞ ? 3. educate (verb) ➞ ?
2. Notebook Practice: Start a new page in your notebook called 'Suffixes'. Write down each suffix from this lesson and two examples for each.
3. 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.")