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Word formation: prefixes, suffixes and word families
Word formation is tested in Use of English sections of the EVAU. You must be able to transform a word into a different part of speech using prefixes and suffixes.
1. Common prefixes
- Negative: un- (unhappy), in- (invisible), im- (impossible), ir- (irregular), il- (illegal), dis- (disagree), mis- (misunderstand), non- (non-stop).
- Other: over- (overwork), under- (underestimate), re- (rewrite), pre- (preview), post- (postwar), multi- (multicultural), co- (co-operate), anti- (antisocial).
2. Common suffixes
Noun suffixes
- -tion / -sion: education, decision, pollution, confusion.
- -ment: achievement, development, government, improvement.
- -ness: happiness, sadness, kindness, darkness.
- -ity: ability, reality, creativity, diversity.
- -ance / -ence: importance, independence, intelligence, tolerance.
- -er / -or: teacher, actor, worker, inventor.
- -ist: scientist, tourist, cyclist, journalist.
Adjective suffixes
- -ful: beautiful, careful, hopeful, powerful.
- -less: careless, hopeless, useless, homeless.
- -ous: dangerous, famous, nervous, various.
- -ive: creative, attractive, expensive, competitive.
- -able / -ible: comfortable, responsible, accessible, remarkable.
- -al: national, cultural, environmental, additional.
Adverb suffix
- -ly: quickly, carefully, fortunately, unfortunately.
3. Word families: practice
| Verb | Noun | Adjective | Adverb |
|---|
| achieve | achievement | achievable | -- |
| create | creation/creativity | creative | creatively |
| decide | decision | decisive/decided | decisively |
| depend | dependence | dependent/independent | independently |
| succeed | success | successful | successfully |
| compete | competition | competitive | competitively |
Ejercicio tipo EVAU
EVAU-style word formation exercise: Complete using the correct form of the word in capitals.
1. The ______ of the new library will take two years. (CONSTRUCT)
2. It is ______ to judge people by their appearance. (FAIR)
3. She handled the situation very ______. (PROFESSION)
4. There has been a significant ______ in air quality. (IMPROVE)
5. His ______ to change was frustrating for everyone. (REFUSE)
6. The city has become increasingly ______. (CULTURE)
7. ______, the weather improved in the afternoon. (FORTUNE)
8. Lack of sleep can affect your ______ to concentrate. (ABLE)