Rules for Suffixes: '-ous' 2
English Language: KS3, topic 1.3.5
Suffixes - 'ous'
You have already learnt that adding '-ous' to a noun turns the noun into an adjective. But sometimes you can't just add 'ous' and you need to drop or change a letter. Let's look at what you do when the word ends in 'our'...
Words ending in 'our'
- If you want to add 'ous' to a noun ending in 'our', you need to drop the 'our' at the end of the word and add 'or' before adding 'ous'.
- This sounds confusing. So let's walk through some examples...
Noun - vigour
Vigour + ous → vigorous
Noun - humour
Humour + ous → humorous
Recap: Rules for Adding 'ous'
Adding 'ous' to the ends of nouns turns them into adjectives. Let's recap the rules for adding 'ous'...
Nouns ending in 'e'
- When you add 'ous' to a noun ending in 'e', you need to drop the 'e' at the end of the word.
Nouns ending in 'y'
- When you add 'ous' to a noun ending in 'y', you need to change the 'y' at the end of the word to an 'i'.
Nouns ending in 'our'
- When you add 'ous' to a noun ending in 'our', you need to drop the 'our' and add 'orous'.
Test yourself on Rules for Suffixes: '-ous' 2
What is the noun form of the adjective vigorous?
What is the adjectival form of the noun humour?
Turning 'Humour' into an Adjective
What is the noun form of the adjective 'tumorous'?
What's the correct adjectival form of fury?