QUESTION: Can ADJECTIVES be identified by their endings?
ANSWER:
Many of the most common adjectives have no special endings, but there is also a large group that do.
The ones given below do not have special endings.
light - dark / heavy
cool - warm
difficult - easy / simple
sad - happy
rough - smooth
cruel - kind
However, many common adjectives can be recognised as such by their endings. Here are some of the most common:
-al:
typical, special, international, industrial, mental, physical, general
-ant: pleasant, significant, tolerant, deviant, conversant, variant, valiant
-ent: different, violent, patient, sufficient, convenient, excellent, frequent
-ous: serious, anxious, nervous, dangerous, obvious, famous, conscious
-ic: terrific, horrific, democratic, domestic, scientific, platonic, sympathetic, basic
-y: filthy, dirty, dusty, messy, noisy, sandy, stony, rocky, healthy, hungry, angry
-ive: active, passive, secretive, attractive, expensive, sensitive, native
-able: comfortable, regrettable, probable, enjoyable, fashionable
-ible: possible, horrible, terrible, sensible, susceptible
-ful: useful, careful, beautiful, skilful, grateful, faithful
-less: useless, careless, pointless, breathless, tireless, toothless
-ed: interested, bored, tired, surprised, worried, confused, excited
-ing: interesting, boring, tiring, surprising, worrying, confusing, exciting