Blog about English
Forming nouns using prefixes, suffixes and word derivation.
English forms nouns through several word-formation processes.
The most common processes are derivation, conversion, compounding, abbreviation and borrowing.
The company needs more information.
Компании нужно больше информации.
"Information" is a noun formed from a verb through derivation.
Her kindness impressed everyone.
Ее доброта произвела на всех впечатление.
"Kindness" is formed from the adjective "kind" with the suffix "-ness".
We went for a walk after dinner.
Мы пошли гулять после ужина.
"Walk" is a noun formed through conversion from the verb "walk".
The bookstore is next to the coffee shop.
Книжный магазин находится рядом с кофейней.
"Bookstore" and "coffee shop" illustrate compound noun formation.
The doctor ordered an MRI.
Врач назначил МРТ.
"MRI" is an abbreviated noun.
The English language has many words borrowed from French.
В английском языке много слов, заимствованных из французского.
"Language" is a noun, while the sentence also illustrates borrowing as a source of vocabulary.
The company launched a new smartwatch.
Компания выпустила новые умные часы.
"Smartwatch" is a modern compound noun.
Her decision changed the entire project.
Ее решение изменило весь проект.
"Decision" is a noun derived from the verb "decide".
Many English nouns are created by adding suffixes to verbs, adjectives or other nouns.
Common noun suffixes include -ness, -ment, -tion, -ity, -er, -or, -ance and -ship.
Her happiness was easy to see.
Ее счастье было легко заметить.
"Happiness" is formed from "happy" with the suffix "-ness".
The payment is due on Friday.
Платеж нужно внести в пятницу.
"Payment" is formed from the verb "pay" with the suffix "-ment".
The construction of the bridge took two years.
Строительство моста заняло два года.
"Construction" is formed with the suffix "-tion".
Her ability to solve problems is impressive.
Ее способность решать проблемы впечатляет.
"Ability" is a noun formed with the suffix "-ity".
The teacher explained the exercise.
Учитель объяснил упражнение.
"Teacher" is formed from "teach" with the suffix "-er".
The actor thanked the audience.
Актер поблагодарил зрителей.
"Actor" is formed from "act" with the suffix "-or".
The company has many important relationships with local businesses.
У компании много важных отношений с местными предприятиями.
"Relationship" is formed with the suffix "-ship".
The absence of snow surprised the children.
Отсутствие снега удивило детей.
"Absence" is a noun formed with the suffix "-ence".
Agent nouns identify the person or thing performing an action.
Common suffixes include -er, -or, -ist and -ian, as in teacher, actor, scientist and musician.
The teacher explained the lesson.
Учитель объяснил урок.
"Teacher" identifies a person who teaches.
The actor appeared in a new movie.
Актер снялся в новом фильме.
"Actor" identifies a person who acts.
The scientist works at a university.
Ученый работает в университете.
"Scientist" identifies a person who works in science.
The musician played the guitar on stage.
Музыкант играл на гитаре на сцене.
"Musician" identifies a person who makes or performs music.
The driver stopped the car.
Водитель остановил машину.
"Driver" is formed from the verb "drive" and identifies the person performing the action.
The artist sold a painting at the gallery.
Художник продал картину в галерее.
"Artist" refers to a person who creates art.
The interviewer asked several questions.
Интервьюер задал несколько вопросов.
"Interviewer" identifies the person who conducts an interview.
The translator checked the document carefully.
Переводчик внимательно проверил документ.
"Translator" identifies a person who translates.
Abstract nouns refer to ideas, qualities, feelings or states rather than physical objects.
Many are formed with suffixes such as -ness, -ity, -tion, -ence and -hood.
Kindness can make a difficult day easier.
Доброта может сделать трудный день легче.
"Kindness" refers to a quality rather than a physical object.
Her happiness was obvious.
Ее счастье было очевидным.
"Happiness" refers to a state or feeling.
The decision surprised everyone.
Решение всех удивило.
"Decision" refers to an idea or result of deciding, not a physical object.
Freedom is important to many people.
Свобода важна для многих людей.
"Freedom" is an abstract noun referring to a concept.
His honesty impressed his coworkers.
Его честность впечатлила коллег.
"Honesty" refers to a personal quality.
The development of the city has been rapid.
Развитие города было быстрым.
"Development" refers to a process rather than a physical object.
Their friendship lasted for many years.
Их дружба длилась много лет.
"Friendship" refers to a relationship or state.
Childhood can influence a person's future.
Детство может влиять на будущее человека.
"Childhood" refers to a period or state of life.
Many verbs become nouns through derivation.
Examples include develop → development, decide → decision and move → movement.
The development of the app took six months.
Разработка приложения заняла шесть месяцев.
"Development" is formed from the verb "develop".
Her decision surprised us.
Ее решение удивило нас.
"Decision" is formed from the verb "decide".
The movement of the car was very smooth.
Движение машины было очень плавным.
"Movement" is formed from the verb "move".
The company made a payment yesterday.
Компания произвела платеж вчера.
"Payment" is formed from the verb "pay".
The discussion lasted for an hour.
Обсуждение длилось час.
"Discussion" is formed from the verb "discuss".
The company announced the expansion last week.
Компания объявила о расширении на прошлой неделе.
"Expansion" is formed from the verb "expand".
The arrival of the train was delayed.
Прибытие поезда было задержано.
"Arrival" is formed from the verb "arrive".
The organization made an important announcement.
Организация сделала важное объявление.
"Announcement" is formed from the verb "announce".
Many adjectives become nouns through suffixation.
Examples include kind → kindness, active → activity and happy → happiness.
Her kindness made everyone feel welcome.
Ее доброта заставила всех чувствовать себя желанными гостями.
"Kindness" is formed from the adjective "kind".
Happiness is more important than money.
Счастье важнее денег.
"Happiness" is formed from the adjective "happy".
Her activity increased after lunch.
После обеда ее активность возросла.
"Activity" is related to the adjective "active".
The importance of sleep is well known.
Важность сна хорошо известна.
"Importance" is formed from the adjective "important".
Their honesty earned our trust.
Их честность заслужила наше доверие.
"Honesty" is formed from the adjective "honest".
The brightness of the screen can be adjusted.
Яркость экрана можно настроить.
"Brightness" is formed from the adjective "bright".
The darkness made it difficult to see.
Темнота затрудняла видимость.
"Darkness" is formed from the adjective "dark".
The complexity of the problem surprised the students.
Сложность проблемы удивила студентов.
"Complexity" is formed from the adjective "complex".
English often creates nouns without changing the spelling of an existing word.
Examples include a walk, a call, a reply and a drive, which originate from verbs.
Let's go for a walk.
Давайте прогуляемся.
"Walk" is a noun used without changing its form from the verb "walk".
I received a call from my sister.
Мне позвонила сестра.
"Call" is used as a noun with the same spelling as the verb "call".
I sent a reply this morning.
Я отправил ответ сегодня утром.
"Reply" can function as a noun without a change in form.
The drive to the airport took an hour.
Поездка до аэропорта заняла час.
"Drive" is a noun formed from the verb "drive" by conversion.
We went for a swim after work.
После работы мы пошли поплавать.
"Swim" is a noun formed from the verb "swim" without a spelling change.
She gave me a quick look.
Она быстро на меня взглянула.
"Look" functions as a noun in this expression.
We had a long talk about the problem.
Мы долго говорили о проблеме.
"Talk" is a noun formed by conversion from the verb "talk".
The project needs a complete review.
Проекту нужна полная проверка.
"Review" functions as a noun while retaining the spelling of the verb.
New nouns are frequently created by combining existing words.
Compound nouns are discussed in detail in the Compound Nouns group.
I left my backpack in the car.
Я оставил рюкзак в машине.
"Backpack" is a compound noun formed from "back" + "pack".
The bus stop is across the street.
Автобусная остановка находится через дорогу.
"Bus stop" is an open compound noun.
She bought a toothbrush.
Она купила зубную щетку.
"Toothbrush" is a closed compound.
His brother-in-law lives in Denver.
Его шурин или деверь живет в Денвере.
"Brother-in-law" is a hyphenated compound noun.
The company opened a coffee shop downtown.
Компания открыла кофейню в центре.
"Coffee shop" combines two words to form a noun with a specific meaning.
I forgot my password.
Я забыл свой пароль.
"Password" is a compound noun formed from "pass" + "word".
She works at a gas station.
Она работает на заправке.
"Gas station" is a common American English compound noun.
The company launched a customer-support chatbot.
Компания запустила чат-бот для поддержки клиентов.
"Customer-support chatbot" shows how English can combine several words into a new noun phrase.
Prefixes usually modify the meaning of a noun rather than creating an entirely new grammatical category.
Common prefixes include anti-, co-, ex-, mini-, multi-, post-, pre- and sub-.
The company hired an ex-president as an adviser.
Компания наняла бывшего президента в качестве советника.
"Ex-president" uses the prefix "ex-" to mean former.
She works with a co-worker in the same office.
Она работает с коллегой в одном офисе.
"Co-worker" uses the prefix "co-" to indicate a shared role.
The store sells mini-computers for students.
Магазин продает мини-компьютеры для студентов.
"Mini-" changes the meaning by indicating a smaller version.
The company offers a prepayment option.
Компания предлагает вариант предоплаты.
"Prepayment" uses "pre-" to indicate something happening before.
The hospital has a post-treatment program.
В больнице есть программа после лечения.
"Post-treatment" uses "post-" to indicate something happening afterward.
The project requires a multi-year investment.
Проект требует многолетних инвестиций.
"Multi-" indicates more than one or many.
The building has a subway station underneath it.
Под зданием находится станция метро.
"Subway" contains the prefix-like element "sub-" meaning under.
The company created an anti-fraud department.
Компания создала отдел по борьбе с мошенничеством.
"Anti-" indicates opposition or prevention.
Some nouns originate from shortened forms.
Examples include NATO, UNESCO, radar, laser, exam and flu.
The meeting will be held at the NATO headquarters.
Встреча пройдет в штаб-квартире НАТО.
"NATO" is an acronym formed from the initial letters of several words.
UNESCO protects important cultural sites.
UNESCO защищает важные культурные объекты.
"UNESCO" is an acronym used as a proper noun.
The doctor used a laser during the procedure.
Врач использовал лазер во время процедуры.
"Laser" originated as an acronym but is now a normal common noun.
I studied for the exam all weekend.
Я готовился к экзамену все выходные.
"Exam" is a shortened form of "examination".
He was home with the flu.
Он был дома с гриппом.
"Flu" is a shortened form of "influenza".
The company uses several PDFs every day.
Компания каждый день использует несколько PDF-файлов.
"PDF" is an abbreviation for "Portable Document Format".
The startup is looking for a new CEO.
Стартап ищет нового генерального директора.
"CEO" is an abbreviation for "chief executive officer".
The doctor ordered an MRI.
Врач назначил МРТ.
"MRI" is an initialism used as a noun.
English continually adopts nouns from other languages.
Borrowed nouns may keep or adapt their original spelling, pronunciation and plural forms.
I ordered pizza for dinner.
Я заказал пиццу на ужин.
"Pizza" is a noun borrowed from Italian and fully integrated into English.
The restaurant serves sushi every evening.
Ресторан подает суши каждый вечер.
"Sushi" is a Japanese loanword used as an ordinary English noun.
She ordered a taco and a burrito.
Она заказала тако и буррито.
"Taco" and "burrito" are Spanish loanwords commonly used in American English.
The company opened a new café downtown.
Компания открыла новое кафе в центре.
"Café" was borrowed from French and is now common English vocabulary.
The museum displayed several works of art from Europe.
В музее выставили несколько произведений искусства из Европы.
"Museum" ultimately comes from Latin and Greek through other languages.
The students studied algebra in class.
Студенты изучали алгебру на занятии.
"Algebra" is a borrowed noun that entered English through Arabic.
The company follows a strict protocol.
Компания соблюдает строгий протокол.
"Protocol" is a borrowed noun with a long history through French and Latin.
She enjoys yoga after work.
Она занимается йогой после работы.
"Yoga" is a Sanskrit-origin noun now widely used in English.
Modern English regularly creates new nouns to describe technologies, occupations and cultural developments.
Words such as podcast, livestream, influencer and smartwatch illustrate productive noun formation.
I listened to a new podcast this morning.
Я слушал новый подкаст сегодня утром.
"Podcast" is a modern noun created from existing word elements.
The company started a weekly livestream.
Компания начала еженедельную прямую трансляцию.
"Livestream" is a productive modern compound.
The influencer posted a new video.
Инфлюенсер опубликовал новое видео.
"Influencer" is a modern agent noun formed from "influence".
He bought a smartwatch last week.
Он купил умные часы на прошлой неделе.
"Smartwatch" is a modern compound noun.
The app uses a chatbot to answer simple questions.
Приложение использует чат-бота для ответа на простые вопросы.
"Chatbot" is a recent compound formed from "chat" + "bot".
The company has a social-media manager.
В компании есть менеджер социальных сетей.
"Social-media manager" illustrates productive combination of existing words into a modern occupational title.
The team created a new coworking space downtown.
Команда создала новое коворкинг-пространство в центре.
"Coworking" is a modern formation that has become an established noun.
The startup hired a full-stack developer.
Стартап нанял full-stack разработчика.
"Full-stack developer" is a modern occupational compound built from existing technical terms.
Choose the correct noun form and suffix according to meaning and standard usage.
Common mistakes include selecting the wrong suffix, confusing nouns with adjectives or verbs and forming non-existent words.
Her kindness helped everyone feel comfortable.
Ее доброта помогла всем чувствовать себя комфортно.
Use the noun "kindness", not the adjective "kind", when a noun is required.
The decision was difficult.
Решение было трудным.
Use "decision", not the verb "decide", after "the".
The teacher helped the students.
Учитель помог студентам.
Use "teacher" for the person and "teach" for the action; do not confuse the noun and verb forms.
We went for a walk after dinner.
Мы пошли гулять после ужина.
"Walk" can function as a noun through conversion, so an article may be required.
The development of the website took three months.
Разработка сайта заняла три месяца.
Use the noun "development", not the verb "develop", after "the".
The scientist works in a laboratory.
Ученый работает в лаборатории.
"Scientist" is the agent noun; do not invent a form such as "science-er".
The company launched a new smartwatch.
Компания выпустила новые умные часы.
"Smartwatch" is a standard compound noun; do not automatically separate or hyphenate every new compound.
The information in the report is useful.
Информация в отчете полезна.
Use the established noun "information"; do not create a nonstandard form such as "informations".