íl B Abstract nouns An abstract noun represents an idea, experience or quality rather than an object that you can touch. For example, happiness, intention and shock are abstract nouns but pen, bed and trousers are not. Suffixes are letters added to the end of words to make new words. Certain suffixes are used frequently in abstract nouns. The most common are -ment, -ion, -ness and ity. The suffix -ion sometimes becomes -tion, -sion, -ation or -ition. -ment, and -ion, are usually used to make verbs into abstract nouns. The suffixes -ness and -ity are added to adjectives. Here are some examples of abstract nouns using those suffixes. ■^rm-occiveness absur achievement adjustment amazement discouragement improvement investment replacement retirement action collection combination illusion imagination production recognition reduction aggressiveness attractiveness bitterness carelessness consciousness friendliness tenderness ugliness absurdity anonymity complexity curiosity generosity hostility prosperity sensitivity Less common suffixes that form abstract nouns are -ship, -dom, -th and -hood. The suffixes -ship and -hood are usually added to other nouns to form abstract nouns. The suffix -th is added to an adjective to form an abstract noun and -dom can combine with either a noun or an adjective. Here are some examples of abstract nouns using those suffixes. u.^rlfV, adult] apprenticeship companionship membership ownership partnership relationship boredom freedom kingdom martyrdom stardom wisdom breadth depth length strength warmth width adulthood brotherhood childhood motherhood neighbourhood (wo)manhood Many abstract nouns do not use any suffix at all. Here are some examples, anger belief calm chance faith luck sense fear principle sight humour rage speed idea reason thought i When you learn a new adjective, find out if it has an abstract noun based on the same root and note it down in your vocabulary book with the adjective, for example, warm, warmth (abstract noun) You will find more examples of the use of suffixes in Units 8 and 10 and of abstract nouns in Units 64 and 65. 24 English Vocabulary in Use (Upper-intermediate) Exercises I I. I What is the abstract noun related to each of the following adjectives? All the nouns are formed in ways described on the opposite page although not all are listed opposite. EXAMPLE tender rWe/ness 1 affectionate 5 amused 9 attentive 13 equal 2 excited 6 graceful 10 happy 14 hopeful 3 kind 7 original 11 popular 15 resentful 4 secure 8 stupid 12 weak 16 wise I 1.2 Which verbs are related to these abstract nouns? EXAMPLE argument osmt 1 collection 4 intensity 7 action 10 ownership 2 emptiness 5 strength 8 excitement 11 imagination 3 satisfaction 6 boredom 9 production 12 adjustment I 1.3 On the opposite page, find a synonym with the suffix in brackets, for each of the following nouns. EXAMPLE animosity (-ity) kosfilify 1 astonishment (-ment) 5 substitution (-ment) 9 vision (no suffix) 2 inquisitiveness (-ity) 6 fame (-dom) 10 liberty (-dom) 3 fraternity (-hood) 7 decrease (-tion) 11 fury (no suffix) 4 possibility (no suffix) 8 community (-hood) 12 wealth (-ity) I 1.4 Complete each of the quotations with one of the words in the box. imitation advice injustice kingdom darkness 1 'Better to light a candle than to curse the.....................' 2 'Do not ask....................of the ignorant.' 3 'Better to suffer....................than to commit it.' 4 '....................is the sincerest form of flattery.' TV 5 'It's easy to govern a....................but difficult to rule one's family.' \ -\\ /jr- au&. ., *^ lť I 1.5 Write your own quotations to describe the following abstract nouns. Perhaps you know a saying in your own language that you could translate into English? 1 freedom 2 love 3 life 4 curiosity 5 imagination Follow-up: Find at least one more noun using each of the suffixes in B and C. English Vocabulary in Use (Upper-intermediate) 25