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English (UK) · Word Formation

Adjective Endings: -ful, -less, -y, -ous, -al

These endings turn nouns (and a few verbs) into adjectives.

  • -ful means with or full of: useful, careful, helpful
  • -less means without: useless, careless, homeless
  • -y is common for weather and everyday qualities: sunny, windy, dirty
  • -ous means having a lot of: dangerous, famous, nervous
  • -al means connected with: traditional, national, musical

Many words take both -ful and -less, so read the whole sentence: useful is positive, useless is negative. Note that -ful has only one l. Watch the spelling: a final -e often drops (fame → famous, noise → noisy), -y changes to -i (beauty → beautiful, mystery → mysterious), and a short vowel doubles the last consonant (sun → sunny).

Examples

  • This app is really useful for learning words.
  • It was a cold and windy morning.
  • Paris is famous for its museums.
  • The festival is a traditional event in our town.
  • Don't be careless with your passport.

Try it yourself

Thanks for your advice. It was very (use).Show answer
Thanks for your advice. It was very useful.
This old knife is (use). It can't even cut bread.Show answer
This old knife is useless. It can't even cut bread.
Be (care)! The floor is wet.Show answer
Be careful! The floor is wet.
Don't be so (care)! You've broken another glass.Show answer
Don't be so careless! You've broken another glass.
The hotel staff were very (help) and answered all our questions.Show answer
The hotel staff were very helpful and answered all our questions.
Her café is very (success). It's always full.Show answer
Her café is very successful. It's always full.
What a (beauty) view from your window!Show answer
What a beautiful view from your window!
The village is quiet and (peace) at night.Show answer
The village is quiet and peaceful at night.
The car won't start and I've tried everything. It's (hope).Show answer
The car won't start and I've tried everything. It's hopeless.
The charity helps (home) people find a place to live.Show answer
The charity helps homeless people find a place to live.
‹ Negative PrefixesNoun Endings: -tion, -ment, -ness, -ity ›