GUIDE ENGLISH GRAMMAR BOOK

PAGE 367
36
Word-building
282 Summary
Compounds • 283
Some words are formed by combining two different words to make a compound.
bath + room = bathroom
It is usually shorter and neater to say a bathroom than a room with a bath in it.
Prefixes • 284
We can add a prefix to a word. For example, we can add the prefix inter in front of
the adjective national. A prefix adds something to the meaning.
Is it a flight between different countries?
Is it an international flight?
Here the pattern with the prefix is neater.
Suffixes • 285
We can add a suffix to a word. For example, we can add the suffix ness to the
adjective kind to form the noun kindness.
We won't forget the fact that you've been so kind.
We won't forget your kindness.
The pattern with the abstract noun is neater.
Vowel and consonant changes • 286
Some related words have a different sound, e.g. hot and heat.
Words belonging to more than one class • 287
Some words belong to more than one class. For example, cost is both a verb
and a noun.
The shoes cost £50. the cost of the shoes
Nationality words • 288
We can use most nationality words as adjectives and as nouns.
a Canadian town He's a Canadian.