DO QUANG KHANG MS.

TEFL

USE OF ENGLISH PART 3

1. Identifying part of speech. Complete this table.
noun verb adjective adverb
comparison compare Comparative comparatively
(in)comparable (in)comparably

(in)stability stable stable stably

stabiliser

highten high highly

height

power power/ empower power/ powerful/ powerfully/ powerlessly

powerless/ powerable
observe observant/ obsvational/ observantly/
observation
observative observationally

development develop developable/

developmentally
developmental
doubt doubter doubt doubtful/ doubious/ doubtfully/ doubiously/
doubtable doubitably

2. Understanding suffixes
2.1. Here are just a few of the suffixes used in English. Complete the table with some examples
suffixes effect meaning examples
-er, -or makes a noun from a verb - person who does something computer commuter
- object that does something processor, professor

-dom makes a noun from another - state or condition boredom/ kingdom/

noun or an adjective - realm or territory freedom/ stardom

-ee makes a person noun from a person affected by the verb committee/ guarantee/
verb addressee/ appointee
-en makes a verb from an cause to have a quality golden/ waxen/
adjective earthen/ wooden
-hood makes an abstract noun from the state of being a particular type likelihood/ motherhood/
a person noun of person livelihood/ priesthood
-less makes an adjective from a a being without something bottomless/ meaningless/
noun spotless/ nameless
-ment makes a noun from a verb process or result of making or amazement/ amusement/
doing something nourishment/ punishment
-proof combines with a noun to cannot be harmed by bulletfroof/ waterproof/
form an adjective childproof/ soundproof
DO QUANG KHANG MS. TEFL

2.2. Make new words from the words in CAPITALS at the end of each line to complete the sentences. The
words all use a suffix from Exercise 1.
1. The writer spent his __________in
boyhood a quiet seaside village. BOY
2. We were so busy at work that there was no time to suffer from __________BORE
boredom
3. Can you lend me your penknife? I just need to my __________pencil.
sharpen SHARP
appointment
4. We had four good applicants for the job, so it was hard to decide who would make the best. __________
APPOINT
thoughtless you not to give Sue a call on her birthday. THINK
5. It was very __________of
6. The presidential car will, of course, be completely__________.
bulletproof BULLET

7. The morning trains to the city are always packed with__________.

commuters COMMUTE

8. We are looking for staff who will offer total commitment

__________to the company. COMMIT
3. Understanding prefixes
3.1. Match the underlined prefixes in these sentences to the meanings of the prefixes in the box. Then explain
the meanings of the words with the underlined prefixes.

again not against not below not enough not too much
1. Luke's very late - I guess he must have overslept again. too much
2. The teacher asked us to rewrite the exercise correcting all our mistakes. again
3. We underestimated the amount of money we would spend on holiday. below

4. There have been a number of anti-government demonstrations in the last year. against

5. The little boy excitedly unwrapped the parcel, not

6. It's very irresponsible to go climbing without telling anyone your plans. not
7. Unfortunately, this work is substandard. not

8. Khang thought he had scored, but the goal was disallowed by the referee. not
3.2. Make new words from the words in CAPITALS at the end of each line to complete the sentences. The
words all use a prefix from Exercise 1. You may need to add a suffix as well.
1. We had an unusually cold winter, with __________temperatures
subzero for two months. ZERO
disbeleved
2. Everyone __________his story - it just didn't seem at all plausible. BELEVE
3. Teachers sometimes complain of being __________and
underpaid overworked. PAY
anti-establishment
4. Students often tend to be a bit__________, but they usually become less radical with age. ESTABLISH
5. I'm sorry to be so __________-
indecisive I'd like to think things over for another day or two. DECIDE
6. George means well, but his contributions to our meetings are often rather __________.
unhelpful HELP