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In the English language, there are several different ways to form new words from existing ones. One common method is by adding a suffix to the end of a word. Two suffixes that are often used in this way are "ess" and "ness". In this article, we will take a closer look at the differences between words ending in "ess" and "ness" and explore some examples of each.
Words Ending in "ess"
The words ending in "ess" are typically used to indicate the female form of nouns or adjectives that have a male form ending in "er" or "or". These suffixes are important in distinguishing gender in certain professions or roles. For example, "actress" is a female actor, "duchess" is a female duke, and "mistress" is a female master. Here are more examples of words that end in "ess":
- actress - A female actor
- duchess - A female duke
- hostess - A female host
- mistress - A female master
- princess - A female prince
- stewardess - A female steward
- tigress - A female tiger
- waitress - A female waiter
- goddess - A female deity
- heiress - A female heir
Words Ending in "ness"
On the other hand, words ending in "ness" are typically nouns formed from adjectives by adding the suffix "-ness". They indicate a state or quality of being. For example, "happiness" refers to the state of being happy, "kindness" denotes the quality of being kind, and "loneliness" describes the state of being alone. Here are additional examples of words that end in "ness":
- happiness - The state of being happy
- kindness - The quality of being kind
- loneliness - The state of being alone
- mildness - The quality of being mild
- readiness - The state of being ready
- rudeness - The quality of being rude
- sharpness - The quality of being sharp
- toughness - The quality of being tough
- weakness - The state of being weak
- weariness - The state of being weary
Grammatical Functions
The words ending in "ess" and "ness" serve different grammatical functions in the English language. While words ending in "ess" are primarily used to indicate the female form of nouns or adjectives, words ending in "ness" are used to indicate a state or quality of being. Understanding the differences between these two types of words can help improve your understanding and use of the English language.
Vocabulary and Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Actress | A female performer in plays, movies, or television |
| Duchess | A woman of high rank in noble hierarchy, the wife of a duke |
| Hostess | A woman who receives or entertains guests |
| Mistress | A woman who has control or authority over others |
| Kindness | The quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate |
| Happiness | The state of feeling or showing pleasure or contentment |
| Loneliness | The state of being alone and feeling sad about it |
| Weakness | The state of lacking strength or power |
Conclusion
Understanding the distinctions between words ending in "ess" and "ness" enhances our grasp of the English language. By recognizing how these suffixes modify words and their meanings, learners can expand their vocabulary and improve their communication skills.