Answer Key
Noun suffixes (2)
Use the words in brackets to form nouns. Use the following suffixes:
-ance, -ence, -ion, -ity, -ety, -ism
- Well, I would say it was a rather harsh [criticism] (criticize).
- We would like to ask you for your generous [contribution] (contribute) to our charity.
- With a little [determination] (determine) and encouragement you will get over these hard times.
- [altruism] (altruistic) is unselfish concern for the welfare of others.
- I don't think anybody but me deserves [promotion] (promote) in this department.
- What Luke really needs is to get more [confidence] (confident).
- Have you seen Oscar Wilde's The [importance] (important) of Being Earnest? It's a great play.
- It was sabotage and an act of [hostility] (hostile) to our country.
- Surveillance cameras and [security] (secure) systems can keep the rise in the crime rate under control.
- The sports center offers a [variety] (vary) of sports activities to improve your fitness.
Some nouns for you to remember:
| -ance / -ence | Romance, importance, evidence, confidence, ignorance, performance, preference, reference |
|---|---|
| -ion (-ation / otion / ution…) |
Organization, participation, definition, promotion, contribution, imagination, decision, exhaustion, revision, composition, determination, explanation |
| -ity / -ety | Possibility, infinity, probability, variety, security, majority, minority, hostility, prosperity |
| -ism | Communism, Buddhism, altruism, egoism, sadism, criticism, heroism, organism, alcoholism |