Some nouns avoid -tion and -ness: compose → composure, proficient → proficiency, analyze → analysis.
Nouns with less common endings
Not "Her proficientness in three languages is impressive." — say "Her proficiency in three languages is impressive.". The noun of proficient takes -ency, not -ness.
Try it: Lani: Did the striker stay calm after the missed penalty? Ethan: Yes. Her ___ was remarkable. Choose the word for the blank. (composure / composition / analysis) Answer: composure — Composure is calm self-control, while "composition" is how something is made.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
analysis
/əˈnæləsəs/
The report offered a careful analysis of the data before drawing any conclusions.
composure
/kəmˈpoʊʒər/
She maintained her composure under pressure during the hearing.
proficiency
/prəˈfɪʃənsi/
Her proficiency in three languages is impressive.
picturesque and enigmatic
Learn these two adjectives as whole words, because their endings are hard to guess: picture → picturesque, enigma → enigmatic.
Not "They stayed in a pictureful coastal village." — say "They stayed in a picturesque coastal village.". The adjective from picture takes -esque.
Try it: Lani: Did the candidate say if she would run again? Ethan: She just smiled. Her reply was ___. Choose the word for the blank. (enigmatic / enigma / picturesque) Answer: enigmatic — Enigmatic means mysterious, which fits a reply nobody could read, while "enigma" is a noun.
Try it: Lani: What does the committee want before we publish? Ethan: A fuller ___ of the survey results. Choose the word for the blank. (analysis / analyses / composure) Answer: analysis — One examination is an analysis, while "analyses" is the plural.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
picturesque
/ˌpɪktʃəˈrɛsk/
They stayed in a picturesque coastal village near the cliffs.
enigmatic
/ˌɛnɪɡˈmætɪk/
Her enigmatic reply left the committee unsure of her position.
What are the common mistakes?
Incorrect
Correct
Why
Her proficientness in three languages is impressive.