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Getting Smarter through Language

Using Suffixes to Create Nouns from Adjectives (Page 2)
(Advanced, C-Level)

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Suffix -ence / -ency

Meaning: state or quality of a condition, ability, or behavior.

The suffixes -ence and -ency form abstract nouns from adjectives, expressing a state, quality, or condition (transparent → transparency); or the capacity or tendency (competent → competence, competency) implied by the adjective.

different → difference

dependent → dependency

persistent → persistence

absent → absence

competent → competence, competency

confident → confidence

emergent → emergence

independent → independence

resilient → resiliency

existent → existence

transparent → transparency

insistent → insistence

patient → patience

intelligent → intelligence

eloquent → eloquence

Example sentences

His confidence helped him perform well in the interview.

We value transparency in leadership.

The difference between the two proposals is clear.

She admired his patience with the children.

The plant's resiliency allows it to survive in harsh climates.

There are general patterns, but they aren't fully consistent due to historical changes in English and borrowings from Latin and French. However, for learners and linguists, some productive tendencies can be identified between -ence and -ency. Specifically, in pairs where both -ence and -ency exist, there can be differences in meaning or usage:

Competence = general ability or adequacy
Competency = specific skill or qualification (often in education or employment)

Dependence = general state of being dependent
Dependency = a place or thing that depends on another (e.g., a territorial dependency), or a specific psychological or medical condition (e.g., drug dependency)

Persistence = general quality of being persistent, of not giving up
Persistency = specific quality or condition of being persistent (often in a technical or formal context)

Independence = general state of being independent
Independency = specific condition or quality of being independent (often in a political or territorial context)

Resilience = general quality of being resilient
Resiliency = specific quality or condition of being resilient (often in a technical or formal context)

Suffix -hood

Meaning: state, condition, or period of life.

The suffix -hood is added to nouns and sometimes adjectives to form abstract nouns that represent a state, condition, or period of life associated with the base word. It can also indicate a collective identity or group sharing a characteristic, or a rank or social condition. When attached to adjectives, -hood conveys the state or condition described by the adjective.

adult → adulthood

likely → likelihood

false → falsehood

Example sentences

She often reflected on her childhood memories.

Many people fear the responsibilities of adulthood.

Their neighborhood is known for its community events.

The likelihood of rain is high today.

He was honored with knighthood for his service.

The suffix “-hood” is most often used with other nouns.

child → childhood

brother → brotherhood

mother → motherhood

neighbor → neighborhood

father → fatherhood

knight → knighthood

priest → priesthood

Suffix -ity / -ty

Meaning: quality, state, or condition of being.

The suffixes -ity and -ty form abstract nouns from adjectives, expressing a state, condition, or quality of the base adjective. Often used to make formal, academic, or abstract terms, these suffixes help convey the essence of the adjective in a noun form (for example, “pure” becomes “purity,” or the condition of being pure).

able → ability

active → activity

agile → agility

credible → credibility

curious → curiosity

diverse → diversity

equal → equality

fertile → fertility

flexible → flexibility

fragile → fragility

hostile → hostility

responsible → responsibility

scarce → scarcity

sensitive → sensitivity

serene → serenity

pure → purity

real → reality

special → specialty

Example sentences

The diversity of cultures in the city is fascinating.

Her curiosity led her to explore many subjects.

We questioned the credibility of that report.

His responsibility is to manage the budget.

They appreciated the flexibility of the new schedule.

Up Next: -ness, -ship, -th

Continue the lesson to learn more suffixes that can be attached to adjectives to create nouns.

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