SUFFIXES: FORMING NOUNS ENGLISH VOCABULARY IN USE PRE INTERMEDIATE

 

ENGLISH VOCABULARY IN USE PRE INTERMEDIATE UNIT 71 SUFFIXES: FORMING NOUNS

 

A Verb + noun suffix Suffixes are used at the ends of words; they often tell you if a word is a noun, a verb, an adjective or an adverb. Two suffixes which form nouns from verbs are -ion and -ment. His latest invention is a new board game.           The management has to change. Relaxation will help you to sleep better.             I need money for more development. We had a discussion about politics.                  We need an improvement in the weather. B Adjective + noun suffix The suffixes -ness and -ity often form nouns from adjectives. What is his main weakness as a manager?         Fortunately it wasn’t a serious illness. Snowboarding is growing in popularity.           There is a similarity between them. I’m frustrated by my inability to use computers.       Her happiness is all that matters to me. C -er, -or and -ist These suffixes can be added to nouns or verbs. They often describe people and jobs.   Language help   Adding a suffix to a verb, adjective or noun may change the position of the main stress, e.g. re'lax – relax'ation, 'stupid – stu'pidity, eco'nomics – e'conomist. (The ' symbol is before the syllable with the main stress.) EXERCISES 71.1 Complete the tables and mark the stress on each word. (Stress is marked on the pronunciation of a word in a dictionary.) The last two in each column are not on the opposite page, but do you know or can you guess the noun formed from them? 71.2 Write down the names of the people who do these things as a job. 1 sing opera music _____ opera singers ______ 2 act in films ________________________ 3 important managers in a company ________________________ 4 change words from one language into another ________________________ 5 play football ________________________ 6 dance in ballets ________________________ 7 paint pictures ________________________ 8 work in science ________________________ 71.3 Complete the text using words from the box with the correct suffix and spelling. One word also needs a prefix. walk improve govern economics able manage discuss “In his speech last night, the prime minister said that the present 1.____weakness____ of the economy was caused by the bad 2_______________ of the last 3_______________ and their 4_______________ to give the right kind of help for industry. He said he was now involved in detailed 5_______________ with ministers, bankers and 6_______________ about a range of different financial measures, and he hoped the people would be able to see a big 7_______________ in the economy by the end of the year. 71.4 Complete the dialogues.   1 A: He hasn’t been well at all, has he? B: No, it’s quite a serious _____illness _________. 2 A: Are they almost the same? B: Yes, the _____________ is amazing. 3 A: Has anyone made anything like this before? B: No, it’s a brand-new _____________. 4 A: Is her new novel going to be published in other languages? B: Yes, someone is working on a _____________ right now. 5 A: Does your daughter enjoy drawing too? B: Yes, she’s a very good _____________. 6 A: Javier gets tired after he’s been playing for about ten minutes. B: I know. If he wants to be in the team, he’ll have to improve his _____________. 7 A: Do you think the organisation can still grow? B: Yes, I think there is an opportunity for further _____________.

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