Abstract nouns 1: Forming abstract nouns

English 11plus Abstract nouns 1: Forming abstract nouns
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Formation of abstract nouns

In many cases, these nouns are derived by adding a suffix or alteration to the root word. Child is a concrete noun, for example, but childhood is an intangible state, so it is abstract.

Nouns with the following suffixes are often abstract:

  • -tion
  • -ism
  • -ity
  • -ment
  • -ness
  • -age
  • -ance
  • -ence
  • -ship
  • -ability
  • -acy