Word Formation: Noun Derivation 2

Starter

Remind learners of the words they saw last lesson which can be modified with suffixes and which denote a job or role. Show them the three new examples: what do they notice about them? Discuss with the whole class and reveal the answers in the next slide: all these examples use a suffix to create an abstract noun. If necessary, ask the learners to give more examples and definitions of concrete and abstract nouns. 

Activity 1

Show the learners the five sentences. In each one, there is a bracketed base word which they must convert into an abstract noun using a suffix. Ask the learners to attempt this task independently, before sharing with a partner or small groups. Show the next slide to reveal the correct answers. 

In the next task, ask the learners to conver the next five base words into abstract nouns and to write their own sentences. Have the learners share sentences in pairs or small groups before sharing their favourites with the whole class. Finally, show the next slide and discuss which sentences they prefer. 

Activity 2

Show the learners the next example which is of an abstract noun that denote a particular status or period of life. Ask the learners to think of the appropriate suffix to conver the next six words. Reveal the answers in the next slide and ask learners to write their own sentnces using each one.

In the next task, show how adjectives can be converted into abstract nouns. Show the learners the list of eight words and ask them to convert them using the appropriate suffix. Finally, reveal the correct answers in the next slide and have learners write their own sentences for each one.  

 

This lesson is adapted (with permission) from Words and Meanings: A Systematic Guide for the Teaching of English Vocabulary, by Gabriele Stein.

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Word Formation: Noun Derivation 2

Starter

Last lesson, you saw how suffixes could make nouns into people or objects that do a job. E.g.

  • write - writer
  • boil - boiler

Look at these three other examples. What's different about them? 

  • arrive - arrival
  • boy - boyhood
  • happy - happiness

These three examples all use different suffixes to create abstract nouns.

Abstract nouns refer to an idea rather than a real object or person.  

  • arrive - arrival
  • boy - boyhood
  • happy - happiness

Activity 1

Read the following sentences.

For each, convert the base word in brackets into an abstract noun using the appropriate suffix. 

  1. He was very nervous, but his (perform) went well.
  2. The newspaper's (cover) of the World Cup was excellent.
  3. The scouts were responsible for the (organise) of the event.
  4. People were protesting against the (close) of the local library.
  5. Andy's (train) as a carpenter is going well.

  1. He was very nervous but his performance went well. 
  2. The newspaper's coverage of the World Cup was excellent. 
  3. The scouts were responsible for the organisation of the event. 
  4. People were protesting against the closure of the local library. 
  5. Andy's training as a carpenter is going well. 

Convert this list of base words into abstract nouns and write a sentence using each one. 

  1. appear
  2. confess
  3. depart
  4. land
  5. rehearse

Here are some example sentences using the correct suffix:

  1. At the appearance of the headmaster, the students fell silent. 
  2. The police interrogated the suspects to get a confession. 
  3. They asked at the kiosk for the time of departure. 
  4. They all applauded the safe landing after the turbulence. 
  5. I have to go to rehearsal every week for the concert. 

Activity 2

We can also add suffixes to nouns which mean a particular status or period in a person's life. 

  • boy - boyhood

Look at this list of nouns. Along with -hood, what other suffxies can we use? 

  1. child
  2. member
  3. king
  4. father
  5. citizen
  6. star

Write a sentence using each of these abstract nouns. 

  1. childhood
  2. membership
  3. kingdom
  4. fatherhood
  5. citizenship
  6. stardom

We can also turn adjectives into abstract nouns by using suffxies. 

  • happy - happiness

Look at his list of adjectives. Along with -ness, what other suffxies can we use?

  1. blind
  2. empty
  3. cruel
  4. brutal
  5. intense
  6. polite
  7. regular
  8. tired

Write a sentence using each of these abstract nouns. 

  1. blindness
  2. emptiness
  3. cruelty
  4. brutality
  5. intensity
  6. politeness
  7. regularity
  8. tiredness

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