Adjectives can be formed from nouns and verbs in English by adding a suitable suffix. For example the adjectival form of ‘joy’ can be formed by adding the suffix ‘ful’ to it. Thus it becomes ‘joyful’. Sometimes it can be a little harder when we have to remove a few letters and then add a suffix. So when it comes to ‘beauty’, we have to replace the ‘y’ with an ‘i’ and then add the suffix ‘ful’. There are also independent adjectives that stand apart and are not formed by adding suffixes.
The following is a list of suffixes that are added to nouns and verbs to make adjectives. Examples on adjective formation are also included.
| Suffix | Examples |
|---|---|
| able | fashionable, achievable, miserable |
| al | traditional, national, educational |
| ary | customary, disciplinary |
| ed | bearded, dignified |
| ful | harmful, thoughtful |
| ible | digestible, corruptible |
| ic | beaureaucratic, atomic |
| ing | pleasing, charming |
| ish | childish, feverish |
| ive | attractive, creative |
| less | worthless, hopeless |
| like | childlike, machine-like |
| ly | fatherly, friendly |
| ous | adventurous, courageous |
| some | troublesome, fearsome |
| worthy | noteworthy, trustworthy |
| y | gloomy, cloudy |