Suffixes

Abstract nouns ending in "-ant", "-ency", etc.

Listen to the nouns/adjectives on the left and the abstract nouns in italics on the right and repeat. Listen carefully to how the suffixes are pronounced. Notice that the stress is on the same syllable in each and that the suffixes all contain schwa.

/ənt/ = -ant , -ent; /ənts/= ants, ents; /əns/ = ence, ance; /ənsi/ = -ency

1 Assistant əˈsɪstənt Your assistance will not be necessary. əˈsɪstəns

 

Listen to the nouns/adjectives on the left and the abstract nouns in italics on the right. Notice that the stress is on the same syllable in each and that the suffixes all contain schwa.

/ənt/ = -ant , -ent;   /ənts/= ants, ents;  /əns/  = ence, ance;   /ənsi/  = -ency

2 Brilliant ˈbrɪljənt           We were amazed at the brilliance of her reasoning. ˈbrɪljəns


Enable JavaScript

 

Listen to the nouns/adjectives on the left and the abstract nouns in italics on the right. Notice that the stress is on the same syllable in each and that the suffixes all contain schwa.

/ənt/ = -ant , -ent;   /ənts/= ants, ents;  /əns/  = ence, ance;   /ənsi/  = -ency

 3 Patient ˈpeɪʃənt             Thank you for you patience. ˈpeɪʃəns


Enable JavaScript

 

Listen to the nouns/adjectives on the left and the abstract nouns in italics on the right. Notice that the stress is on the same syllable in each and that the suffixes all contain schwa.     

/ənt/ = -ant , -ent;   /ənts/= ants, ents;  /əns/  = ence, ance;   /ənsi/  = -ency

4 Tend  tend                I have a tendency to put on weight. ˈtendənsi


Enable JavaScript

 

Listen to the nouns/adjectives on the left and the abstract nouns in italics on the right. Notice that the stress is on the same syllable in each and that the suffixes all contain schwa.     

/ənt/ = -ant , -ent;   /ənts/= ants, ents;  /əns/  = ence, ance;   /ənsi/  = -ency

5 Defy dɪˈfaɪ                     His defiance worried the general. dɪˈfaɪəns          

Enable JavaScript

 

Listen to the nouns/adjectives on the left and the abstract nouns in italics on the right. Notice that the stress is on the same syllable in each and that the suffixes all contain schwa.     

/ənt/ = -ant , -ent;   /ənts/= ants, ents;  /əns/  = ence, ance;   /ənsi/  = -ency

6 Efficient ɪˈfɪʃənt           He was famous for his efficiency ɪˈfɪʃənsi.

Enable JavaScript

 

Listen to the nouns/adjectives on the left and the abstract nouns in italics on the right. Notice that the stress is on the same syllable in each and that the suffixes all contain schwa.     

/ənt/ = -ant , -ent;   /ənts/= ants, ents;  /əns/  = ence, ance;   /ənsi/  = -ency

7 Fluent ˈfluːənt            Students must attain a high degree of fluency. ˈfluːənsi


Enable JavaScript

 

Listen to the nouns/adjectives on the left and the abstract nouns in italics on the right. Notice that the stress is on the same syllable in each and that the suffixes all contain schwa.     

/ənt/ = -ant , -ent;   /ənts/= ants, ents;  /əns/  = ence, ance;   /ənsi/  = -ency

8 Emerge ɪˈmɜːdʒ         The emergence of new nations has created tension.  ɪˈmɜːdʒəns          

Enable JavaScript

 

Listen to the nouns/adjectives on the left and the abstract nouns in italics on the right. Notice that the stress is on the same syllable in each and that the suffixes all contain schwa.       

/ənt/ = -ant , -ent;   /ənts/= ants, ents;  /əns/  = ence, ance;   /ənsi/  = -ency

9 Hinder ˈhɪndə        No knowledge of computers is a hindrance. ˈhɪndrəns


Enable JavaScript

 

Listen to the nouns/adjectives on the left and the abstract nouns in italics on the right. Notice that the stress is on the same syllable in each and that the suffixes all contain schwa.       

/ənt/ = -ant , -ent;   /ənts/= ants, ents;  /əns/  = ence, ance;   /ənsi/  = -ency

10 Frequent  ˈfriːkwənt The frequency of his visits caused alarm. ˈfriːkwənsi   


Enable JavaScript

Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial License 3.0