Question

Form a noun with a suitable suffix:
gentle_______
(a)ness
(b)ity
(c)ance
(d)ence

Answer 1

Hint: With the correct suffix, the noun form of the adjective can be easily derived. For identifying the correct suffix, try to pronounce each suffix with the given root word.

Complete answer: The word in the question is used as an adjective, ‘gentle’. The word ‘gentle’ refers to ‘having or showing a mild, kind, or tender temperament or character’.
To make it fit into the given blank, we need to convert it into a noun, as the question suggests. So, to convert an adjective into a noun, all you need to do is add the appropriate suffixes. These suffixes can range from a simple ‘-ing’ or ‘-full’ to more complicated ones such as ‘-ness’.
Now, we know how to convert nouns into adjectives. Let’s look at the given options:
(a)’ness’ - The word that would be formed would be ‘gentleness’. This is a grammatically correct word, so, this suffix is the appropriate answer. It is the required answer. So, this is the correct option.
(b)’ity’ - The word that would be formed would be ‘gentleity’. However, this is not the appropriate suffix in this case. The word that has been constructed is grammatically incorrect. It is not the required answer. So, this is an incorrect option.
(c)'ance’ - The word that would be formed would be ‘gentleance’. However, this is not the appropriate suffix in this case. The word that has been constructed is grammatically incorrect. It is not the required answer. So, this is an incorrect option.
(d)’ence’ - The word that would be formed would be ‘gentlence’. However, this is not the appropriate suffix in this case. The word that has been constructed is grammatically incorrect. It is not the required answer. So, this is an incorrect option.

Note: Proceed to convert the given adjective form of the word into the required part of speech, try to find the suitable suffix. Make sure it is grammatically correct. Then, choose the correct option.