Using Suffixes to Create Nouns from Adjectives (Page 4) (Advanced, C-Level): Snap Language™

Using Suffixes to Create Nouns from Adjectives (Page 4)
(Advanced, C-Level)

Important Notes and Caveats

The suffixes listed above are common, but there are many exceptions and irregular forms in English. Some adjectives do not follow these patterns, and some nouns can be formed from multiple adjectives with different meanings.

Examples:

aggressive → aggressiveness (the quality of being aggressive) / aggression (the act of attacking or hostile behavior)
complex → complexness (rare; the quality of being complex) / complexity (the degree of complication)
curious → curiousness (state of being curious) / curiosity (a desire to know or learn)
real → realness (the quality of being real, genuine, or authentic) / reality (the state of things as they actually exist)
sensitive → sensitiveness (emotional responsiveness) / sensitivity (ability to detect or respond to stimuli)

In English, it is common to find both a native noun formed with a suffix like -ness or -hood and a borrowed noun from Latin or French that expresses a similar (but not identical) meaning. These borrowed forms often sound more formal, academic, or abstract compared to the native forms.

For example:

brotherly → brotherliness (personal warmth or affection between brothers or peers) vs. fraternity (formal brotherhood, often referring to social organizations or collective solidarity).
motherly → motherliness (the warmth, care, and affection of a mother) vs. maternity (relating to the condition of being a mother, often used in legal or medical contexts like maternity leave).
child → childhood (the period of being a child) vs. infancy (specifically refers to the earliest stage of childhood, typically the period of being an infant).
king → kingliness (the qualities befitting a king, such as nobility) vs. royalty (the broader status or condition of being royal, encompassing kings, queens, and their families).

Having a rich vocabulary with similar meanings allows for nuanced expression, but it can also be confusing for learners. English has plenty of such word pairs, often used in different contexts or registers. Being aware of this will help you continue building your vocabulary with greater confidence.