In English, there are many words that have the same root, but can be changed to be a verb, noun, adjective, or adverb by adding a suffix.
To use a word correctly in a sentence, it is important to know two things: not only which part of speech to choose (e.g. noun or verb), but also which suffix creates this part of speech (e.g. -ness or -tion to form a specific noun). This two-stage process can be quite challenging.
Fill in each blank with the correct form of the word in the bracket:
- The ______ ( pound ) of the drums could be heard miles away.
- “This is a ______ ( person ) matter, please don’t interfere,” shouted the angry man.
- Through his ______ ( eloquent ), the candidate hopes to win the support of the masses.
- Political _______ ( stable ) is very essential for a country’s economic progress.
- We stared in awe at the ______ ( unforget ) grace of the whale frolicking in the ocean.
- This ______ ( express ) coach will arrive at Euds Station in just an hour.
- Damor is _______ ( mind ) of the needs of others; he is always so considerate.
- The students gave _______ ( minute ) details of their experiments.
- It breaks his heart to know that his pet dog died ______ ( miserable ).
- You must bring some _______ ( suit ) clothes for the hike.
- The ______ ( censor ) committee will ban the reporting of all undesirable news into the country.
- They are ______ ( begin ) to see the true colors of the impostor.
- We visited an oil palm ______ ( plant ) to learn more about the harvesting process.
- Imami ______ ( battle ) with the strong current but his canoe capsized.
- Chicken lasagne is a ______ ( special ) of this restaurant; you cannot find this anywhere.
- The latest _______ ( edit ) of this book contains many illustrative pictures.
- I guess mother will agree but ______ ( convince ) father will be altogether difficult.
- The marine police are ______ ( tight ) the net around the illegal immigrants at sea.
- Walking alone late at night can be _______ ( danger ).
- The campers shivered with fear when they heard the wind ______ ( whistle ) through the trees.
- In the early days, traders ______ ( monopoly ) the spice trade.
- The poor children are without ______ ( nourish ); they are very sickly.
- Their refusal to help is ______ ( perfect ) understandable in view of the difficult circumstances.
- Her younger sister can be ______ ( annoy ) when she behaves haughtily.
- The recent swimming carnival drew a large crowd of sports ______ ( enthuse ).
- “In all ______ ( serious ) don’t get mixed up with bad company again,” the social counselor advised the delinquents at reform school.
- We must be thorough with our work; the supervisor expects all the ______ ( niggle ) details.
- The unfit boy feels tired after the ______ ( torture ) climb up the steep hill.
- When he moved to Japan, he ______ ( bare ) knew the country, but within a year he had become familiar with the customs.
- Many rich ______ ( royal ) own luxurious home along this private beach.
- You must read the ______ ( instruct ) carefully before you use the new oven.
- We were taken aback at the ______ ( drama ) changes in our village; each home owns a computer now.
- ______ ( gradual ) he began to show his true character; we realized he is not a sincere person.
- They are ______ ( campaign ) for a greener environment.
- This work is ______ ( woeful ) beyond the required standard; I cannot accept it.
- ______ ( begin ) will find this lesson difficult to grasp; it is quite technical.
- It is always ______ ( interest ) to watch the cubs at play.
- Your objection to the plans could be a ______ ( hinder ) to economic progress.
- My mother advised me to be careful in my ______ ( choose ) of friends.
- ______ ( short ) after feeding time, the bears were killed.
- We all stood up upon the ______ ( arrive ) of the guest-of-honour.
- Arturo ______ ( accident ) broke the glass window while playing in the verandah.
- Jeremiah is not stupid. He just refuses to use his ______ ( intelligent ).
- “Please pay ______ ( attend ) when I am teaching,” said Miss Chan.
- The prime minister’s wisdom won the ______ ( admire ) of his citizens.
- The policeman advises the driver to drive ______ ( careful ) on the road.
- This is the most ______ ( comfort ) bed that I have slept in.
- The beauty of the countryside is beyond our ______ ( imagine ).
- Nobody wants to employ him because of his past ______ ( crime ) record.
- We should ______ ( strength ) ties with our neighboring countries.
- Everybody dislikes Henry because he always acts in a ______ ( coward ) manner.
- This will be a fierce ______ ( compete ). Every team is just as good.
- Ice ______ ( solid ) at zero degrees Celsius.
- It was a ______ ( disaster ) outing. Everything went wrong.
- It was our ______ ( please ) to have met the well known artist from Italy.
- The ______ ( hot ) makes everybody very drowsy during the lesson in class.
- You could notice the ______ ( sad ) in his eyes.
- Please follow the ______ ( instruct ) carefully when you do the exercises.
- “Come and see me once you have gathered enough ______ ( inform ) about the case,” the police inspector told his staff.
- The children found the trip to Bintan most ______ ( enjoy ).
- The teacher is very impressed with the ______ ( behave ) of the new pupil.
- It is everyone’s ______ ( responsible ) to save the environment.
- His good stamina ______ ( able ) him to run 10 kilometers non-stop.
- The good news ______ ( bright ) up my day.
- The Chinese respect the ______ ( teach ) of Confucius.
- Be a ______ ( consider ) driver. Drive carefully.
- The government is encouraging the nation to be more ______ ( create ).
- He is very troubled by the ______ ( decide ) of his boss.
- The damages to the car were ______ ( extend ). It took the mechanic one week to repair it.
- The old man ______ ( trust ) his grand-daughter to the care of his faithful servant when he died.
- The ______ ( describe ) given by the eye-witness helped the police to catch the robber.
- Every mountain climber must pass an ______ ( endure ) test before he can participate in the expedition.
- The old lady is ______ ( sad ) by the crimes committed by her only son.
- The plants served to ______ ( beauty ) the hall.
- The ant is considered one of the most _______ ( industry ) insects.
- Desmond’s ______ ( hero ) rescue won praises from the boy’s grateful parents.
- I have never sailed in such a _______ ( luxury ) ocean liner before.
- The pension is enough for the old couple to live on ______ ( comfort ) for at least 20 years.
- We should visit the dentist ______ ( occasion ) to have a check-up.
- The ballet dancer glided ______ ( grace ) to the tempo of the music.
- The young generation are becoming more and more ______ ( material ) in their outlook.
- His ______ ( formula ) for success is hard work.
- I am in a ______ ( festival ) mood. I don’t feel like working today.
- I am ______ ( absolute ) sure that that is the man who stole the car.
- Their parents ______ ( objection ) strongly to their marriage.
- You made me a ______ ( laugh ) stock in front of everybody.
- The girls are told to dress ______ ( decent ) for the party.
- He smiled ______ ( candid ) for the camera.
- The supply of water is not always in ______ ( abundant ). You should learn how to save water.
- The flower ______ ( arrange ) was very beautifully done.
- The ______ ( product ) of the television serial was badly done.
- You need the doctor to ______ ( certain ) that you were sick yesterday.
- Dilly handled the situation ______ ( effect ). Everyone was pleased with her explanations.
- ______ ( sudden ) it rained and we were all drenched.
- The ______ ( year ) salary increment is too little. No wonder the staff do not stay in the company for long.
- His sense of ______ ( humorous ) was so dry that the guests preferred not to talk with him.
- The ______ ( strong ) of the company is in its team spirit.
- I have a ______ ( person ) favor to ask of you. I hope you can help me.
- Please be ______ ( reason ). I cannot finish this task all by myself today.
- “Excuse me, my ______ ( appoint ) with the doctor is at 9 o’clock,” the patient told the nurse.
- The ______ ( renew ) of her passport will take two weeks.
- Don’t ______ ( angry ) her anymore or she will beat you up.
- The escaped leopard will ______ ( danger ) the lives of the villagers.
- The champion squad jumped ______ ( triumphant ) when its name was called.
- Please ______ ( low ) the volume of your voice. I can even hear you from next door.
- The _______ ( endure ) test will take approximately two hours to complete.
- The play is so boring. The script writer should ______ ( live ) it with more jokes.
- The ______ ( rebel ) was stopped in time by the military.
- The couple came here at the special ______ ( invite ) of the prime minister.
- Please accept my ______ ( sister ) advice. You look horrible in that dress.
- ______ ( absent ) makes the heart grow fonder.
- The ______ ( fail ) of the project left many of the staff disappointed.
- The policemen are here to ______ ( force ) law and order.
- The prophet is said to be ______ ( power ) by God to save the world.
- You are under no ______ ( oblige ) to accept the terms and conditions.
- The rapid ______ ( grow ) of the company took everyone by surprise.
- All the pupils were ______ ( busy ) finishing their exam papers when the bell rang.
- His grandmother is ______ ( critic ) ill and wants to see him immediately.
- “Sally, you should be more ______ ( care ) in your work, ” said the supervisor.
- The ______ ( center ) location of the building makes it very convenient for the workers to go to the office.
- I will try to complete this task to the best of my ______ ( able ).
- The big flowery designs _______ ( cheap ) the overall look of the painting.
- The ______ ( defend ) of our country is left in the hands of our loyal soldiers.
- The _____ ( forget ) old man cannot find his way home.
- “This ceremony marks the ______ ( begin ) of our business venture with VTEC company,” said the president of BBE company.
- There is a wise saying which goes : ” ______ ( curious ) kills the cat.”
- The price of petrol in Vietnam is ______ ( compare ) cheaper than in Thailand.
- The tourists were caught up with the ______ ( magic ) atmosphere in Disneyland.
- The staff ______ ( ready ) accepted the apology from their boss.
- Do not doubt the ______ ( wise ) of the old folks in this village.
- All the ______ ( hope ) beauties are eyeing the first prize in the beauty contest.
- “Do not ______ ( breath ) a word about this agreement to anybody in the office,” Mr. Kang told his secretary.
- “It is our ______ ( please ) to serve you,” said the flight stewardess.
- You could read his ______ ( resent ) for the kids in his eyes.
- The project engineers are going to ______ ( broad ) this narrow lane.
- My ______ ( distance ) cousin from China will be coming to Singapore in June.
- Dolly is such a ______ ( trouble ) customer that all the salesgirls dislike serving her.
- The amazing technology enables us to take a ______ ( giant ) leap into the future.
- The ______ ( try ) of the murderers has been going on for days at the Supreme Court.
- The ______ ( nature ) make-up colours suit her complexion best.
- The little girl hums ______ ( cheer ) to herself.
- The patient is ______ ( danger ) ill and may not be able to live much longer.
- Desmond ______ ( grudge ) gave up his seat to the old lady in the bus.
- ______ ( Unite ) we stand. Divided we fall.
- The ______ ( boast ) boy failed his examinations.
- At the conclusion of the meeting, the ______ ( chair ) summarized the main points again.
- The ______ ( construct ) of all his sentences is very clumsy.
- ______ ( General ), the orientation program was very well planned.
- If you want to lose weight, you must exercise ______ ( faith ).
- “Please shorten your meeting and come home ______ ( immediate ),” Linda told her husband.
- Devi’s dog ran out of the garden and attacked the man without _______ ( provoke ).
- The little village is very quiet and ______ ( peace ) at night.
- Our English ______ ( assign ) is due next week.
- Do not give up because of _______ ( fail ). If you work hard, you will eventually succeed.
- Drinking two cups of coffee in the morning has become ______ ( habit ) to her.
- As the trapeze artists performed one daring act after another, the audience watched in ______ ( amaze ).
- Olaniyi knows enough French to carry on a simple ______ ( converse ) in that language.
- “Seldom have I seen so much ______ ( create ) in a child so young,” said the artist.
- The news that Mingde had inherited a million dollars caused much _______ ( excite ) among his friends.
- On ______ ( arrive ) in Bangkok, a tour guide will meet you at the airport.
- Any ______ ( add ) information you may have on the accident will be most useful to the police.
- The ______ ( invade ) of Kuwait by the Iraqis was condemned by almost the whole world.
- This restaurant is ______ ( fame ) for its western meals.
- In ______ ( accord ) with the rules of the competition, the team was disqualified.
- This examination will test your ______ ( proficient ) in Japanese.
- The police announced yesterday that the stolen jewellery had been returned to its ______ ( right ) owner.
- The new king abolished all forms of ______ ( slave ).
- “Have you seen the new ______ ( advertise ) for Beautiful Shampoo ? I think I shall buy a bottle now,” said Liz.
- “I get a lot of ______ ( satisfy ) out of being a social worker,” said Mrs Hu.
- The price of this car, which is forty thousand dollars, is _______ ( negotiate ).
- Eva’s mother made her ______ ( practice ) playing the piano every morning.
- Her new year ______ ( resolute ) is to be more generous towards her relatives.
- She is ______ ( apparent ) returning to Australia in June.
- The ______ ( emphasize ) is not on cultural development but economic development for this country.
- John does not believe in ghosts. He said they are just ______ ( illusive ) of people with wild imagination.
- It is important to show _______ ( initiate ) on the job; otherwise you will not be promoted.
- It was a ______ ( nostalgic ) time when songs of yesterday were played on the radio.
- Jasmine did not live up to her coach’s ______ ( expect ); she failed to win a medal at the athletics meet.
- There was _______ ( tense ) between father and son. it will take a long time for them to be reconciled.
- The audience ______ ( applause ) the singer for his sterling performance.
- “Is there any ______ ( oppose ) to the idea of building a new swimming pool ?” asked the school Principal.
- There is too much ______ ( violent ) in this movie.
- A torchlight is a ______ ( use ) appliance to have in the house, especially if there is a blackout.
- “I have noticed Gopal’s ______ ( absent ) from training since last month. Please ask him to see me,” said Mrs. Singam.
- “Don’t drink that fragrant liquid ! It’s ______ ( poison ) !” shouted the tribal chief.
- “You will need ______ ( determine ) and strength to complete this martial arts course,” the instructor said.
- David’s ______ ( resemble ) to his grandfather is uncanny.
- In ______ ( desperate ), the drug addict took his own life.
- This medicine can be dangerous if applied in large amounts. Please use it ______ ( spare ).
- “Please be ______ ( reason ). I don’t have the money to pay you right now,” Mr Song told the moneylender.
- The school will be giving Mrs Dong, the school Principal, an award in _______ ( recognize ) of her service to the school.
- The weather in England can be rather ______ ( change ). Be sure to bring along an umbrella or raincoat when you tour the country.
- The ______ ( major ) of the class wants to go to a safari park during the school holidays.
- Ahmad’s _______ ( describe ) of the thief fits that of the suspect the police caught yesterday.
- There will be twenty ______ ( music ) performing at the concert.
- In the last few years, there has been a ______ ( reduce ) in the number of students dropping out of school.
- Being ______ ( tradition ), my mother forbids me to wear short skirts or sleeveless shirts.
- George was ______ ( fury ) when he learnt that his brother had broken his stereo set apart.
- The mother bird is very ______ ( protect ) of her young. She takes care of them until they grow up.
- They find Paul’s manner and behavior totally ______ ( repel ).
ANSWERS
- pounding
- personal
- eloquence
- stability
- unforgettable
- express
- mindful
- minute
- miserably
- suitable
- censorship
- beginning
- plantation
- battled
- speciality
- edition
- convincing
- tightening
- dangerous
- whistling
- monopolized
- nourishment
- perfectly
- annoying
- enthusiasts
- seriousness
- niggly
- torturous
- barely
- royalties
- instructions
- dramatic
- Gradually
- campaigning
- woefully
- Beginners
- interesting
- hindrance
- choice
- Shortly
- arrival
- accidentally
- intelligence
- attention
- admiration
- carefully
- comfortable
- imagination
- criminal
- strengthen
- cowardly
- competition
- solidifies
- disastrous
- pleasure
- heat
- sadness
- instructions
- information
- enjoyable
- behavior
- responsibility
- enables
- brightened
- teachings
- considerate
- creative
- decision
- extensive
- entrusted
- description
- endurance
- saddened
- beautify
- industrious
- heroic
- luxurious
- comfortably
- occasionally
- gracefully
- materialistic
- formula
- festive
- absolutely
- objected
- laughing
- decently
- candidly
- abundance
- arrangement
- production
- ascertain
- effectively
- Suddenly
- yearly
- humor
- strength
- personal
- reasonable
- appointment
- renewal
- anger
- endanger
- triumph
- lower
- endurance
- liven
- rebellion
- invitation
- sisterly
- 1. Absence
- failure
- enforce
- empowered
- obligation
- growth.
- busily
- critically
- careful
- central
- ability
- cheapen
- defense
- forgetful
- beginning
- curiosity
- comparatively
- magical
- readily
- wisdom
- hopeful
- breathe
- pleasure
- resentment
- broaden
- distant
- troublesome
- gigantic
- trial
- natural
- cheerfully
- dangerously
- grudgingly
- United
- boastful
- chairman
- construction
- Generally
- faithfully
- immediately
- provocation
- peaceful
- assignment
- failure
- habitual
- amazement
- conversation
- creativity
- excitement
- arrival
- additional
- invasion
- famous
- accordance
- proficiency
- rightful
- slavery
- advertisement
- satisfaction
- negotiable
- practise
- resolution
- apparently
- emphasis
- illusion
- initiative
- nostalgic
- expectation
- tension
- applauded
- opposition
- violence
- useful
- absence
- poisonous
- determination
- resemblance
- desperation
- sparingly
- reasonable
- recognition
- changeable
- majority
- description
- musicians
- reduction
- traditional
- furious
- protective
- repulsive
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