MTEL Communication Literacy Skills : Reading Practice Test

Which suffix is commonly associated with forming adjectives that describe an excess or surplus of something?

1. -less

2. -ful

3. -ic

4. -ous

The correct answer is: -ous

The suffix "-ous" is commonly used to form adjectives indicating an abundance or surplus of a particular quality or characteristic. This suffix suggests that something is packed with or characterized by the noun it modifies. For example, "famous" indicates having many claims to fame, while "gracious" implies an abundance of grace. Each of these adjectives conveys a sense of plentifulness regarding the trait being described, highlighting the richness or excess in that quality. In contrast, the other suffixes serve different purposes: "-less" suggests the absence of something, "-ful" denotes a full quantity of a specific quality, and "-ic" often relates to a characteristic or pertaining to a certain subject rather than indicating abundance. This distinction underscores why the "-ous" suffix is particularly aligned with describing excess.