Advanced Word Formation - A

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Word formation is one of the keys to success for advanced level ESL learners. Advanced level English exams such as the TOEFL, First Certificate CAE and Proficiency use word formation as one of the key testing elements. These word formation charts provide the concept noun, personal noun, adjective and verb forms of key vocabulary listed in alphabetical order.

Word Forms

Concept noun

Personal noun

Adjective

Verb

absenteeism

The rate of absenteeism is rising in middle and high schools.

absentee

We'll send the absentees notes from the meeting.

absent-minded

The absent-minded professor wandered into the wrong classroom.

to be absent

Unfortunately, I'll be absent from class on Friday.

accounting

Can you take care of the accounting on this project?

accountant

I'll need to ask my accountant for advice on this business deal.

accountable

Do you think we should hold everyone accountable for their mistakes?

account

I think we should open a new bank account.

accusation

The lawyer rebuffed the accusation and stated his case.

accuser / accused

The accuser should always try to understand the motivations of the accused.

accusing

He's an accusing figure in the company and needs to go!

accuse

Do you really want to accuse him of bribery?

achievement

The victory was an amazing achievement.

achiever

Achievers tend to be outgoing people who don't mind making mistakes.

achieved

His achieved status at the company was due to his work ethic.

achieve

She's achieved many things in very long career.

addiction

Drug addiction is a huge problem for many people around the world.

addict

The addict struggled with drug abuse for many years.

addictive/addicted

You'll find that many addictive drugs are opiates.

to become addicted

A number of students have become addicted to so called "study drugs

administration

The administration has made many mistakes over the past eight years.

administrator

The head administrator will take your questions.

administrative

All administrative tasks are taken care of by human resources.

administrate

We should use a third party to administrate our accounts.

admiration

She showed a lot of admiration for her help.

admirer

Have you ever had a secret admirer?

admired / admiring

The admiring young man stood and gazed.

admire

I enjoy going to the museum to admire fine art.

advertisement

The advertisement was very entertaining.

advertiser

We need to find an advertiser to help pay for expenses.

advertised

The advertised medicine didn't work as expected.

advertise

Have you ever advertised your products online?

advice

I think you should take his advice.

adviser

I'm going to see my adviser next week on campus.

advisory

The advisory committee decided to postpone the decision.

advise

What would you advise me to do?

aggravation

I've certainly had my fair share of aggravation.

aggressor

The aggressor was caught and thrown into jail.

aggravating

She has an aggravating backache.

aggravate

I aggravated my brother with my remarks about his wife.

agitation

I felt a lot of agitation when I heard the news.

agitator

The agitator was taken to jail by the police.

agitated

The agitated citizen screamed at the reporter.

agitate

Be careful to not agitate the situation with your remarks.

analysis

The analysis of the situation is very interesting.

analyst

The analyst was very expensive, but necessary for our case.

analytical

He cast an analytical eye on the situation.

analyse

Do you think you could analyse the evidence?

antagonism

She felt his antagonism was misplaced.

antagonist

The antagonist made a convincing case against the hero.

antagonistic

Her antagonistic attitude got her into trouble at work.

antagonize

You'll be sorry if you antagonize them.

arbitration

The arbitration went on for three weeks.

arbitrator

The arbitrator in the case made a decision.

arbitrary

I think he made an arbitrary decision that be ignored.

arbitrate

The judge will arbitrate the case.

assassination

The assassination stunned the nation.

assassin

The assassin was caught within three days.

assassinated

The country wept over the assassinated president.

assassinate

Most people could not assassinate anyone.

authorization

I gave him complete authorization on the project.

authority

He's an authority in his field.

authoritarian / authoritative

Her authoritarian approach scared the students.

authorize

Can you authorize this request?

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Your Citation
Beare, Kenneth. "Advanced Word Formation - A." ThoughtCo, Aug. 26, 2020, thoughtco.com/advanced-word-formation-a-1212229. Beare, Kenneth. (2020, August 26). Advanced Word Formation - A. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/advanced-word-formation-a-1212229 Beare, Kenneth. "Advanced Word Formation - A." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/advanced-word-formation-a-1212229 (accessed March 28, 2024).