Typical adjective endings
There is no general rule for forming adjectives. We know they are adjectives usually by what they do (their function) in a sentence. However, some word endings (suffixes) are typical of adjectives.
Some adjectives can be identified by their endings. Typical adjective endings include:
- -able/-ible understandable, capable, readable, incredible
- -al mathematical, functional, influential, chemical
- -ful beautiful, bashful, helpful, harmful
- -ic artistic, manic, rustic, terrific
- -ive submissive, intuitive, inventive, attractive
- -less sleeveless, hopeless, groundless, restless
- -ous gorgeous, dangerous, adventurous, fabulous
|
suffix |
examples |
|
-able, -ible |
comfortable, readable, incredible, invisible |
|
-al, -ial |
comical, normal, musical, industrial, presidential |
|
-ful |
beautiful, harmful, peaceful, wonderful |
|
-ic |
classic, economic, heroic, romantic |
|
-ical |
aeronautical, alphabetical, political |
|
-ish |
British, childish, Irish, foolish |
|
-ive, -ative |
active, alternative, creative, talkative |
|
-less |
endless, motionless, priceless, timeless |
|
-eous, -ious, -ous |
spontaneous, hideous, ambitious, anxious, dangerous, famous |
|
-y |
angry, busy, wealthy, windy |
Adjectives ending in -ic and -ical often have different meanings:
The economic policy of this government has failed.
A diesel car is usually more economical than a petrol one.
Sometimes when adding these endings changes have to be made. Here are some rules for forming adjectives and their exceptions:
| Add | Exceptions | Word | Adjective |
| -al | If ending with an ‘e‘, drop it | Nature Function |
Natural Functional |
| -y | If ending with an ‘e‘, drop it | Ice Oil |
Icy Oily |
| -ful | If ending with a ‘y‘, replace with an ‘i‘ | Beauty Peace |
Beautiful Peaceful |
| -ous/-ious | If ending with a ‘y‘, drop it | Mystery Danger |
Mysterious Dangerous |
| -ic | If ending with a ‘y‘, drop it | History Rust |
Historic Rustic |
Forming adjectives from nouns and verbs
Adjectives can be formed from different words. They can be formed from nouns:
| Noun | Adjective |
| accident | accidental |
| danger | dangerous |
| length | long |
| star | starry |
| wind | windy |
From verbs:
| Verb | Adjective |
| enjoy | enjoyable |
| help | helpful |
| obey | obedient |
| play | playful |
| talk | talkative |
Or even from other adjectives:
| Adjective | Adjective |
| comic | comical |
| correct | corrective |
| elder | elderly |
| red | reddish |
| sick | sickly |
Examples of forming adjectives
- Our house color is a kind of yellow. → We live in a yellowish house.
- He often acts like a child. → He often acts in a childish way.
- The event was a big success. → We enjoyed a successful event.
- We enjoyed the sound of the drum’s rhythm. → We enjoyed the drum’s rhythmic sound.
- She adopted a dog without a home. → She adopted a homeless dog.
- Look out, that plant is poison. → Look out for that poisonous plant.
- It looks like it will rain today. → It looks like we’ll have rainy weather today.
- She always acts with courtesy. → She always behaves in a courteous manner.
- Her hair is pretty. → She has the prettiest hair.
- We go for a walk each day. → We go for a daily walk.