Lesson 22. Suffixes for Creating Adjectives

Overview

In this lesson you'll learn how to make adjectives from nouns and verbs using suffixes.

The lesson ends with a short story about three friends who visit Vancouver for three days in the winter.

Grammar Focus - Create Adjectives from Nouns and Verbs

Creating Adjectives from Verbs

In English the past participle of many verbs can be used as an adjective.

Examples

Verb	Adjective
bore	bored
crowd	crowded
worry	worried

Creating Adjectives with Suffixes

A suffix is a letter or group of letters added to the end of a word to create a new one. Many English adjectives are formed by adding a suffix to a noun or verb. Each suffix alters the meaning of the word.

There are several suffixes that can be added to nouns and verbs to convert them to adjectives. Note that these suffixes can only be used with some nouns and verbs.

Suffix	Meaning
ing	describes the effect of the verb
ive	describes the effect of the verb. On rare occasions, this suffix is also used with nouns.
ant	means to have the characteristic of the verb
ent	means someone who performs or causes the action of the verb
able ible	means capable of being
y	means characterized by, has that quality, or inclined to
ish	means belonging to or having the characteristic of
ful	means "full of" or "having a lot" a given quality
less	means without or lacking. It is the opposite idea of -ful.
ous	means full of a given quality. It has a similar meaning to the suffix -ful.

Examples

Noun/Verb	Adjective	汉语
confuse	confusing	扑朔迷离
interest	interesting	有趣
create	creative	有创意的
express	expressive	富有表现力
expense	expensive	昂贵
please	pleasant	愉快
differ	different	不同
comfort	comfortable	自在
anger	angry	愤怒
sleep	sleepy	昏昏欲睡
storm	stormy	暴风雨
fool	foolish	傻
beauty	beautiful	美丽
thought	thoughtful	周到
help	helpless	无助
motion	motionless	不动
danger	dangerous	危险
mystery	mysterious	神秘

Short Story

Vancouver Winter Vacation

Vancouver, Canada

听故事。

Vancouver Winter Vacation
Three friends—Ella, Ava, and Jack—arrived in Vancouver on a brisk winter’s morning for a three day vacation.
Day 1: The City Awaits
Arriving early in the morning, the trio checked into a cozy Hotel in the heart of Downtown.
“First things first—coffee!” Ella exclaimed as they dropped their bags off at the hotel.
They found a cute café close to the hotel, where they had a quick breakfast and coffee, which fueled them for their day.
“I heard Granville Island is a must-visit. What do you think?” Jack suggested.
“Absolutely, let’s go!” Ava agreed.
They strolled through Granville Island, where the vibrant Public Market enticed them with its array of local produce and artisanal goods. The Granville Island Toy Company reignited their inner child with whimsical displays.
“This place is a treasure trove!” Jack remarked.
They dined at a restaurant near False Creek, their laughter mingling with the sounds of the people walking and cycling along the Seawall.
As the day drew to a close, they watched the sun set at English Bay.
“Look at those colors,” Ava whispered in awe.
Day 2: Mountains and Sea
The next day was an ode to Vancouver’s majestic landscape. They took a short ferry to North Vancouver and then a bus ride to the base of Grouse Mountain.
“Ready for some winter fun?” Jack asked, his excitement palpable.
Wrapped in layers, they eagerly hopped on the Skyride, the city shrinking below them as the snow-covered peaks came into view. On the slopes, they found a variety of winter activities to choose from.
“I’m hitting the ice rink!” Ella declared.
“Great, I’ll join you,” Ava said.
After lunch, they rented equipment for skiing and headed for the chairlift.
Jack, an experienced skier, gave them tips as the chairlift brought them to the top of the mountain.
They spent the rest of the day skiing, and as the sun set, they stared in amazement as the sky darkend and the city far below lit up.
Afterwards, they went into the restaurant and shared their experiences over hot cocoa.
“I think I finally got the hang of it!” Ella said, beaming.
“You did great,” Jack reassured her.
Day 3: Coastal Serenity
Their final day promised tranquility. They explored the lush greenery of Stanley Park, taking a leisurely bike ride around the Seawall.
“I can’t believe this park is right in the city,” Ava said, marveling at the surroundings.
Jack, an avid photographer, captured every breathtaking view—from the tranquil waters of Lost Lagoon to the haunting beauty of Siwash Rock.
“Hold still, this shot’s going to be amazing,” Jack directed.
The day was capped with a visit to the Vancouver Aquarium, where they were mesmerized by the vibrant marine life.
“That sea otter is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen,” Ella gushed.
In the evening, they returned to their cozy abode, exhausted but fulfilled. They reflected on the memories they had created, each friend leaving with a sense of wonder and gratitude for their time spent together.
“Best vacation ever!” Jack said as they settled in for the night.
“And to think, we have so many more adventures ahead of us,” Ava added with a smile.
And so, with hearts full and spirits lifted, Ella, Ava, and Jack said goodbye to Vancouver, promising to return one day.

Flashcards

Here are some flashcards to help you learn the abstract nouns included in this lesson.

Quiz

For each question, combine the word and the suffix in parentheses to create an adjective

Progress

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