B2 First: word formation (nouns with -ment and -ness)

Many verbs can form nouns with the suffix -ment. And many adjectives can form their nouns with the suffix -ness.


Look at the examples in the table for a few minutes and try to remember the words. Then click below to hide the information and try to answer the questions at the bottom.


VerbNoun
achieve achievement
amuse amusement
argue argument
develop development
encourage encouragement
excite excitement
improve improvement
involve involvement
judge judgement
measure measurement
AdjectiveNoun
aware awareness
dark darkness
forgetful forgetfulness
happy happiness
homeless homelessness
lazy laziness
lonely loneliness
rude rudeness
tidy tidiness
weak weakness
 

Practice 1: word formation (use of English part 3)

Write the correct form of the word in brackets to complete these sentences. There are lots more examples here than in the list above, so remember that often verbs use '-ment' to make nouns, and often adjectives use '-ness'. And remember that sometimes the nouns will be plural!

  1. "Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to make an . (ANNOUNCE)
  2. is a problem everywhere, not just in big cities. (HOMELESS)
  3. His made me very angry. (RUDE)
  4. What does your doctor recommend for the 'flu? (TREAT)
  5. We had a big about whose turn it was to wash up. (ARGUE)
  6. I woke up at 2am. The house was in complete . (DARK)
  7. We need some special if we want to go mountain climbing. (EQUIP)
  8. If you drink too much alcohol, it will impair your . (JUDGE)


Practice 2: more word formation

  1. The interviewer asked me about my strengths and . (WEAK)
  2. My friends gave me a lot of when I was worried about my driving test. (ENCOURAGE)
  3. To my , I was offered £10,000 for my old car! (AMAZE)
  4. The company has made lots of to their internet services. (IMPROVE)
  5. I used to find his funny, but now it really annoys me. (FORGETFUL)
  6. Winning the race was an amazing for my daughter. (ACHIEVE)
  7. This book is very unrealistic, but that didn't spoil my of it. (ENJOY)
  8. We are still making for the wedding next month. (ARRANGE)
  9. Drivers should stop to rest during long car journeys, because can cause accidents. (TIRED)
  10. People can experience at many times during their lives, and for many reasons. (LONELY)