In the English language, one of the most common ways to form nouns is by adding a suffix to an adjective or sometimes a verb. Nouns with the Suffix ness is one of the most widely used in this process, transforming adjectives into nouns that express a state, condition, or quality. Understanding how to use this suffix can greatly improve your vocabulary and help you better understand how different word forms are related.
In this guide, we will explore the suffix “-ness”, its purpose, rules for adding it, and provide you with a comprehensive list of examples. Whether you’re a student of English or a professional writer, mastering nouns with “-ness” is an essential skill for anyone looking to improve their command of the language.
What is the Suffix “-ness”?
The suffix “-ness” is a common suffix in English that is used to form nouns from adjectives. It typically denotes a state, quality, or condition. For example, the adjective “happy” can be turned into the noun “happiness”, which refers to the state of being happy.
When you add “-ness” to an adjective, it often creates a noun that expresses the abstract concept or condition related to the adjective. This makes “-ness” a useful and versatile tool for forming nouns that describe states, qualities, or conditions.
How to Form Nouns with the Suffix ness?
To form nouns with “-ness”, simply add the suffix “-ness” to the end of most adjectives. Below are the general rules and some important considerations when forming nouns with this suffix:
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Basic Rule: Add “-ness” directly to the adjective.
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Example: Kind → Kindness (the state of being kind)
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For Adjectives Ending in “y”: If the adjective ends in “y,” drop the “y” and then add “-ness.”
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Example: Happy → Happiness (the state of being happy)
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For Adjectives Ending in “e”: If the adjective ends in “e,” just add “-ness” without changing the base form.
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Example: Late → Lateness (the state of being late)
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For Adjectives with Double Letters: If the adjective contains double letters, you generally don’t need to modify the word before adding “-ness.”
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Example: Weak → Weakness (the state of being weak)
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Exceptions: Some adjectives may not follow these basic rules, and in some cases, the “-ness” form may not exist. This is typically a case-by-case scenario and requires further study or consulting a dictionary.
200 Examples of Nouns with the Suffix ness
Here are several common examples of adjectives transformed into Nouns with the Suffix ness. These examples will help you better understand how the transformation works.
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Happiness
Her happiness was evident in her smile. -
Sadness
The sadness in his voice made everyone feel sympathy. -
Weakness
Her weakness for chocolate is well known. -
Kindness
His kindness to animals is truly remarkable. -
Darkness
The darkness of the cave made it impossible to see anything. -
Loneliness
He struggled with loneliness after moving to the new city. -
Sickness
Her sickness caused her to miss several days of work. -
Richness
The richness of the soil in the region supports diverse plant life. -
Brightness
The brightness of the sun hurt my eyes. -
Rudeness
His rudeness during the meeting made it difficult for others to speak. -
Quickness
The quickness of the response surprised everyone. -
Fairness
She always strives for fairness in her decisions. -
Softness
The softness of the pillow made it hard to get up. -
Hardness
The hardness of the diamond is what makes it so valuable. -
Sharpness
The sharpness of the knife allowed him to cut through the fabric easily. -
Coldness
The coldness of the room made everyone uncomfortable. -
Clumsiness
Her clumsiness was evident when she dropped the cup. -
Sweetness
The sweetness of the fruit was overwhelming. -
Boldness
His boldness in approaching the boss with new ideas was impressive. -
Laziness
His laziness prevented him from finishing the project on time. -
Freshness
The freshness of the morning air was invigorating. -
Cleanliness
The cleanliness of the kitchen is essential for food safety. -
Darkness
As the darkness of the night set in, we decided to head home. -
Hollowness
The hollowness of the echo made the cave seem even larger. -
Simplicity
The simplicity of the design made it both elegant and effective. -
Eagerness
Her eagerness to help others is inspiring. -
Famousness
The actor’s famousness grew after the movie hit theaters. -
Braveness
The braveness of the soldiers was honored in the ceremony. -
Emptiness
The emptiness of the house made it feel lonely. -
Harshness
The harshness of the criticism was difficult to bear. -
Neatness
The neatness of his desk made it easy to find things. -
Heaviness
The heaviness of the rain soaked through my jacket. -
Lightness
The lightness of the fabric made it perfect for the summer. -
Vastness
The vastness of the desert stretched as far as the eye could see. -
Shyness
Her shyness kept her from speaking in front of the group. -
Jealousness
His jealousness over her promotion caused tension between them. -
Rareness
The rareness of the bird species makes it highly valuable to scientists. -
Narrowness
The narrowness of the road made it difficult for cars to pass each other. -
Stillness
The stillness of the lake at dawn was breathtaking. -
Guiltness
The guiltness of the suspect was clear from his actions. -
Pureness
The pureness of her heart made her beloved by all. -
Hopelessness
The hopelessness of the situation left everyone feeling defeated. -
Clearness
The clearness of the water allowed us to see the fish swimming below. -
Unhappiness
Her unhappiness at work led her to search for a new job. -
Angerness
His angerness made it difficult for him to communicate calmly. -
Mildness
The mildness of the weather was perfect for a day out. -
Tenderness
Her tenderness towards animals made her a great veterinarian. -
Toughness
The toughness of the material made it ideal for the outdoor gear. -
Gentleness
The gentleness of the breeze was refreshing on a hot day. -
Boldness
The boldness of his decision to start a new business was admirable. -
Coolness
The coolness of the evening air made the walk more pleasant. -
Hotness
The hotness of the summer sun made it difficult to stay outside. -
Loveliness
The loveliness of the garden was a peaceful retreat. -
Whiteness
The whiteness of the snow made everything look pristine. -
Freeness
Her freeness from worry allowed her to enjoy the day fully. -
Fullness
The fullness of the glass made it hard to carry without spilling. -
Wilderness
The vast wilderness of the national park was untouched by human hands. -
Harshness
The harshness of the winter winds made the hike difficult. -
Nervousness
His nervousness before the presentation was obvious. -
Brightness
The brightness of the room made it feel more inviting. -
Clumsiness
Her clumsiness often led to embarrassing situations. -
Roughness
The roughness of the fabric made it uncomfortable to wear. -
Tightness
The tightness in his chest indicated he was stressed. -
Trueness
The trueness of his words helped to rebuild trust. -
Faithfulness
Her faithfulness to her friends made her beloved among them. -
Willingness
The team’s willingness to work together ensured the project’s success. -
Dullness
The dullness of the lecture made it hard to stay awake. -
Bitterness
The bitterness in his voice was hard to ignore. -
Sweetness
The sweetness of the pie was the perfect end to the meal. -
Neatness
The neatness of his handwriting impressed the teacher. -
Happiness
Her happiness was contagious, brightening everyone’s day. -
Sickness
His sickness required him to take a few days off from work. -
Kindness
Her kindness to strangers made her an outstanding community member. -
Sharpness
The sharpness of the blade made it effective for cutting through thick material. -
Loveliness
The loveliness of her smile lit up the room. -
Coldness
The coldness of the room made everyone shiver. -
Gentleness
The gentleness of his touch helped to calm the frightened animal. -
Sureness
His sureness about the decision made others trust his judgment. -
Courageousness
The courageousness of the firefighters saved many lives. -
Brightness
The brightness of the colors in the painting stood out beautifully. -
Quietness
The quietness of the library provided the perfect study environment. -
Mildness
The mildness of the flavor made it a hit with everyone at the dinner. -
Ruthlessness
His ruthlessness in business often led him to make tough decisions. -
Boldness
The boldness of his statement left everyone in the room speechless. -
Stillness
The stillness of the morning was broken only by the chirping of birds. -
Sickness
The sickness spread quickly throughout the office. -
Sadness
The sadness in her eyes was clear to everyone around her. -
Shyness
Her shyness prevented her from making new friends. -
Sweetness
The sweetness of the fruit made it perfect for the salad. -
Harshness
The harshness of the comment caught everyone off guard. -
Wickedness
The wickedness of his actions was shocking to those who knew him well. -
Toughness
The toughness of the competition pushed him to improve. -
Faithfulness
Her faithfulness to her work earned her the respect of her peers. -
Jealousness
His jealousness made it difficult for him to trust his friends. -
Narrowness
The narrowness of the path made it hard to walk side by side. -
Shyness
Her shyness kept her from joining the conversation. -
Brightness
The brightness of the stars was visible even through the city lights. -
Darkness
The darkness of the night made the journey more challenging. -
Tightness
The tightness in her chest was a sign that she was anxious. -
Softness
The softness of the pillow made it hard to get out of bed. -
Bigness
The bigness of the stadium impressed all the visitors. -
Sharpness
The sharpness of the knife helped him slice the fruit with ease. -
Wickedness
The wickedness of his actions was evident to all who witnessed it. -
Sweetness
The sweetness of the honey complemented the tea perfectly. -
Gentleness
Her gentleness with the children made her an ideal teacher. -
Roughness
The roughness of the road caused the car to bounce around. -
Coldness
The coldness of the water made swimming uncomfortable. -
Neatness
The neatness of his room was always impressive. -
Toughness
His toughness in difficult situations earned him the respect of his colleagues. -
Harshness
The harshness of the winter made it challenging to travel. -
Rudeness
Her rudeness was a reflection of her frustration with the situation. -
Weakness
His weakness for sweets made it difficult to stick to a healthy diet. -
Quickness
The quickness of her reaction saved everyone from harm. -
Hardness
The hardness of the material made it difficult to carve. -
Brightness
The brightness of the lights made it feel like daytime in the room. -
Braveness
The braveness of the firefighters in saving the family was commendable. -
Neatness
Her neatness when organizing the documents was very efficient. -
Loveliness
The loveliness of the garden was unmatched by any other. -
Stillness
The stillness of the forest allowed us to hear the birds chirping clearly. -
Fairness
His fairness in handling the dispute made him a great mediator. -
Warmness
The warmness of the blanket was comforting on a cold night. -
Brilliance
The brilliance of his idea impressed everyone in the room. -
Kindness
Her kindness to the homeless made her a well-respected person in the community. -
Narrowness
The narrowness of the bridge made it hard for two cars to pass simultaneously. -
Softness
The softness of the silk was a delight to the touch. -
Clearness
The clearness of the sky was a sign of good weather ahead. -
Harshness
The harshness of the feedback left the team feeling discouraged. -
Cleanliness
The cleanliness of the hotel was praised by the guests. -
Willingness
Her willingness to help made her an invaluable team member. -
Tightness
The tightness in his muscles suggested he had been exercising too much. -
Brightness
The brightness of the flash blinded everyone for a second. -
Sharpness
The sharpness of the pencil made it ideal for writing in tiny spaces. -
Gentleness
Her gentleness with animals made her an excellent caretaker. -
Stillness
The stillness of the lake was broken only by the sound of a bird call. -
Dullness
The dullness of the lecture made it hard to concentrate. -
Happiness
Her happiness was infectious and made everyone around her smile. -
Bitterness
The bitterness of the coffee was perfect for waking him up in the morning. -
Sweetness
The sweetness of the candy made it hard to eat just one. -
Cleanliness
He maintained cleanliness in every part of his home. -
Weakness
His weakness was his inability to say no to people. -
Courageousness
Her courageousness in speaking out about the issue inspired others. -
Quickness
The quickness of the athlete made him a valuable player on the team. -
Coolness
The coolness of the evening breeze felt refreshing after a hot day. -
Sureness
Her sureness about the decision made others feel confident. -
Hopelessness
The hopelessness of the situation was overwhelming for them. -
Brightness
The brightness of her future was evident from her dedication and hard work. -
Sickness
Her sickness kept her in bed for several days. -
Nervousness
His nervousness was evident during the presentation. -
Clearness
The clearness of the instructions made the task easy to follow. -
Clumsiness
His clumsiness often led to funny situations. -
Shyness
Her shyness kept her from speaking out in meetings. -
Harshness
The harshness of the storm left the town in chaos. -
Quickness
His quickness to respond helped resolve the issue swiftly. -
Darkness
The darkness of the room made it hard to see anything clearly. -
Sickness
The flu sickness kept her from attending the event. -
Boldness
Her boldness in asking for a raise was admirable. -
Brightness
The brightness of the moon was so strong that we didn’t need flashlights. -
Weakness
The weakness of the rope caused it to snap under pressure. -
Shyness
Her shyness prevented her from making new friends easily. -
Sureness
His sureness about the outcome gave everyone else confidence. -
Bitterness
The bitterness of the breakup lingered long after they had parted ways. -
Loveliness
The loveliness of the flowers brightened up the entire room. -
Hardness
The hardness of the rock made it impossible to drill through. -
Rudeness
The rudeness of the waiter made the dining experience unpleasant. -
Vastness
The vastness of the ocean made it feel like there was no end. -
Toughness
His toughness allowed him to overcome many obstacles in life. -
Sweetness
The sweetness of the melody made the song unforgettable. -
Loveliness
The loveliness of her dress caught everyone’s attention. -
Shyness
His shyness was evident when he stood in the corner during the party. -
Braveness
The braveness of the team’s captain helped rally everyone together. -
Whiteness
The whiteness of the snow covered the ground like a blanket. -
Warmness
The warmness of her smile made everyone feel welcome. -
Hardness
The hardness of the puzzle made it challenging to complete. -
Sweetness
The sweetness of her compliment made me blush. -
Mildness
The mildness of the temperature made the day pleasant. -
Brilliance
The brilliance of his solution solved the problem in no time. -
Gentleness
His gentleness with the children made him the perfect babysitter. -
Clearness
The clearness of the water in the lake was astonishing. -
Loveliness
The loveliness of the garden was admired by all who visited. -
Ruthlessness
The ruthlessness of his actions left everyone in shock. -
Brightness
The brightness of the lighthouse helped guide ships safely to shore. -
Sharpness
The sharpness of the blade ensured a clean cut. -
Loveliness
Her loveliness made her the star of the evening. -
Hardness
The hardness of his heart prevented him from forgiving easily. -
Rudeness
His rudeness during the meeting offended everyone. -
Narrowness
The narrowness of the alley made it difficult to walk through with a cart. -
Cleanliness
The cleanliness of the restaurant’s kitchen impressed the health inspector. -
Sureness
Her sureness about the outcome calmed the anxious team. -
Courageousness
The courageousness of the rescue team helped save the trapped workers. -
Vileness
The vileness of his behavior disgusted everyone around him. -
Shyness
Her shyness was so intense that she avoided all group activities. -
Quickness
His quickness to respond to the email made him stand out among his peers. -
Boldness
Her boldness in proposing a new approach at the meeting was remarkable. -
Roughness
The roughness of the terrain made the hike challenging. -
Fairness
His fairness in allocating resources earned him the respect of his colleagues.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Nouns with the Suffix ness
While nouns with “-ness” are incredibly useful, there are some common mistakes that learners and even native speakers sometimes make. Being aware of these pitfalls can help you use these nouns more effectively in both speech and writing.
1. Overuse of “-ness” Nouns
One common mistake is overusing “-ness” nouns, which can lead to repetitive language and an overly abstract style of writing or speaking. While these nouns are versatile, relying on them too much can make your sentences sound generic or imprecise.
Example of overuse:
“The happiness of the party was clear, but the happiness of the people was also evident.”
Instead, try using a mix of adjectives and nouns to create more varied and engaging sentences:
“The joy of the party was clear, and the contentment of the guests was evident.”
2. Confusing Nouns and Adjectives
Sometimes, learners mistakenly confuse “-ness” nouns with adjectives. Remember that “-ness” nouns describe a state or condition, while adjectives describe qualities of a person or thing.
Incorrect usage:
“I feel a lot of sadness today.”
Correct usage:
“I feel a lot of sadness today.”
The mistake here is using the adjective “sad” instead of the noun “sadness.”
3. Unnecessary Use of “Ness”
In some cases, adding “-ness” to a word is unnecessary because the adjective already conveys a sufficient meaning, or the noun already exists in a different form.
Incorrect usage:
“The braveness of the mountain climber was clear.”
(“Bravery” is the preferred noun here.)
Correct usage:
“The bravery of the mountain climber was clear.”
4. Spelling Errors
When adding the “-ness” suffix to certain adjectives, remember the spelling rules. For example, when adding “-ness” to adjectives that end in “y,” you often need to change the “y” to “i” before adding “-ness.”
Incorrect usage:
“Happy” becomes “happyness.”
Correct usage:
“Happy” becomes happiness.
Conclusion: Nouns with the Suffix ness
Incorporating nouns with the ness suffix into your vocabulary can greatly enhance your ability to express abstract ideas, emotions, and qualities in both written and spoken English. These nouns provide a versatile way to describe states and conditions, from personal feelings to external circumstances.
By practicing the formation of “-ness” nouns, understanding their correct usage, and being mindful of potential mistakes, you can develop a more nuanced and precise style of communication. Whether you’re writing a formal report, engaging in casual conversations, or crafting creative works, “-ness” nouns will be a valuable tool in your language toolkit.
Mastering the use of “-ness” nouns will help you improve your fluency, express complex ideas clearly, and make your writing or speech more compelling and effective.
