Add -tion or -ment to a verb to make a noun for the action or its result: apply → application, improve → improvement.
Making nouns from verbs: -tion and -ment
Not "Her writing shows a real improvetion." — say "Her writing shows a real improvement.". The verb decides the suffix: improve takes -ment.
Try it: Ethan: Are the morning buses any better now? Sofia: Much better. It's a real ___. Choose the word for the blank. (improvement / improvation / improveness) Answer: improvement — Improve takes -ment, so the noun is improvement.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
application
/ˌæplɪˈkeɪʃən/
Amina's application needs more information before Friday.
presentation
/ˌprezənˈteɪʃən/
Amina gave a short presentation at the community center.
improvement
/ɪmˈpruːvmənt/
Mei showed real improvement in her writing this term.
agreement
/əˈɡriːmənt/
The agreement was signed after the meeting.
Making quality nouns: -ness
Add -ness to an adjective to make a noun for a quality or feeling: kind → kindness, happy → happiness.
Try it: Liam: Everyone on Moffen Street helped clear the snow this morning. Maya: That's true ___. You don't see it every day. Choose the word for the blank. (kindness / kindful / kindment) Answer: kindness — Kind is an adjective, so -ness makes the noun kindness.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
kindness
/ˈkaɪndnəs/
Yasmin appreciated Lars's kindness during the project.
happiness
/ˈhæpinəs/
Happiness is not the same as constant excitement.
darkness
/ˈdɑrknəs/
The darkness made the path difficult to see.
Formal quality nouns: -ity
Add -ity to some formal adjectives to make a noun for a quality: real → reality, responsible → responsibility.
Not ""He had to face the realness of the situation."" — say ""He had to face the reality of the situation."". With real, the usual noun is reality, not realness: real → reality.
Try it: Camila: I really thought I'd win the cooking contest. Farid: I know, but the ___ is that the other chefs had more experience. Choose the word for the blank. (reality / realment / realition) Answer: reality — The adjective real takes -ity: reality.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
reality
/riˈæləti/
Diego had to face the reality of a smaller budget.
People who do things: -er
Add -er to a verb to make a noun for the person who does it: teach → teacher, play → player.
Not "Ask the teaching for help." — say "Ask the teacher for help.". -er names the person; teaching is the activity.
Try it: Liam: Who gave you all that homework? Amina: Our math ___. It's due on Monday. Choose the word for the blank. (teacher / teaching / teachment) Answer: teacher — -er names the person who does the action: teach → teacher.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
teacher
/ˈtiːtʃər/
The teacher at Haffenbridge School explained the lesson twice.
What are the common mistakes?
Incorrect
Correct
Why
Her writing shows a real improvetion.
Her writing shows a real improvement.
The verb decides the suffix: improve takes -ment.
"He had to face the realness of the situation."
"He had to face the reality of the situation."
With real, the usual noun is reality, not realness: real → reality.