Word Changes: Parts of Speech

Language (11-12.4)

Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grades 11–12 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.

b. Identify and correctly use patterns of word changes that indicate different meanings or parts of speech.

Let's Practice: Key Terms

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Section A: Parts of Speech – Nouns and Verbs

Every word can be classified as a part of speech; in fact, sometimes two depending on how it is being used. Language can be very flexible, and words can stretch and change to do different jobs. English is filled with many quirks. There is not just one pattern for changing word forms. There are multiple rules, versions, and spelling forms of words.

Verbs can turn into nouns by adding letters to the ending of the word. Look below at the examples.

Verbs à Nouns

· Some verbs add the ending – er and or to make it a noun

o paint à painter

o act à actor

· Some verbs add the ending – ation to make it a noun

o augment à augmentation

o proliferate à proliferation

· Some verbs add the ending – ence to make it a noun

o acquiesce à acquiescence

o concur à concurrence

· Some verbs add the ending –ment to make it a noun

o harass à harassment

o chastise à chastisement

· Some verbs add the endings – ry and ery to make it a noun

o reveal à revelry

o eat à eatery

Let's Practice: Verbs into Nouns

Nouns can turn into verbs by adding and losing endings to become simpler verb forms. Look below at the examples.

Nouns à Verbs

· Some nouns add the ending – ize to make it a verb

o publicity à publicize

o alien à alienate

· Some nouns lose the ending to make it a noun

o justification à justify

o adherent à adhere

Let's Practice: Nouns into Verbs

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Section B: Parts of Speech – Adjectives

Adjectives can change into word forms called nouns. Look below at the examples.

Adjectives à Nouns

· Some adjectives add the ending – ness to make it a noun

o uncanny à uncanniness

o dubious à dubiousness

· Some adjectives add the ending – ity to make it a noun.

o urbane à urbanity

o spontaneous à spontaneity

· Some adjectives add the ending – ence to make it a noun

o opulent à opulence

o complacent à complacence

· Some adjectives add the ending – ion to make it a noun

o averse à aversion

o destitute à destitution

Let's Practice: Adjectives into Nouns

Nouns can change forms to become adjectives. Look below at the examples.

Nouns à Adjectives

· Some nouns add the ending – ic or tic to make it an adjective

o irony à ironic

o chaos à chaotic

· Some nouns add the ending – ous to make it an adjective.

o rancor à rancorous

o chivalry à chivalrous

· Some nouns add the ending – ate to make it an adjective

o compassion à compassionate

o celibacy à celibate

Let's Practice: Video Challenge