Suffixes -ful and -less

Leven VII

The use of suffixes

-ful and -less

Empezar

Two common suffixes you can add to words to make adjectives are -ful and -less.

The Suffix -ful means "full of" (fearful = full of fear), and -less means "without" (fearless = without fear). For some words, either suffix can be added. This guideline is not applicable for all of the words.

-ful vs. -less

A suffix is a letter or group of letters added to the end of a word to change its meaning or function.

List of suffixes

-full

-less

fanciful, resentful, woeful, doubtfu

hopeless, faultless, fearless, restless

vs

the formation of words

The liquid produced in the reaction is colourless. - Literally "without colour".

Ful

less

Bill is hopeful of receiving a job offer. - Literally "Bob is full of hope".

His addiction ruined his life. He lost everything and eventually became homeless. - Literally "without a home".

ful

less

Mary brought in an armful of washing. - Literally "Mary's arm are full".

Susan really hurt Tony's feeling with that comment. She can be so thoughtless sometimes. - Literally "without a thought", although better translated as "inconsiderate".

ful

We ate a wonderful meal in the new Japanese restaurant. - "Full of wonder" is not the right meaning here. 'Excellent' is a better translation.

less

Sense + less = Home + less = Harm + less = Worth + less = Plenty + ful = Sleep + less = Pain + ful =

Now, it´s your turn

Write your own sentences using these words you have created:

Senseless = He gave a senseless answer to a question.Plentiful = There´s plentiful evidence that the economy´s getting worse. Worthless = It's pretty, but it's just a bit of worthless costume jewelry. Harmless = Walking outside in the rain is totally harmless. Painful = I understand that this is painful for you, but you will get through it. Sleepless = When you have a baby, sleepless nights are to be expected. Homeless = This part of town always has a lot of homeless people in the street.

You nailed it!