SUFFIXES: -FUL OR -LESS? 1 (ESL)

level: Intermediate (B1/B2)

✓ Useful for Cambridge FCE/CAE

The suffixes -ful and -less are two of the most common word-ending patterns in English. Understanding them helps you recognize and create new words more easily. This is exercise 1 of 2.

READY TO PRACTICE? LET’S GO!

Complete each of the sentences below by writing ful, less, or, if both are acceptable, both. REMEMBER: Sometimes a word exists (for example "trustless"), but it sounds so unnatural that we don't include it in the "both" option.
Example: cheer → both

1. forget → (ful, less, both)✓

2. law → (ful, less, both)✓

3. job → (ful, less, both)✓

4. respect → (ful, less, both)✓

5. reck → (ful, less, both)✓

6. piti → (ful, less, both)✓

7. distrust → (ful, less, both)✓

8. play → (ful, less, both)✓

9. price → (ful, less, both)✓

10. taste → (ful, less, both) ✓

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Suffixes Conversation Questions 1. Would you describe yourself as more careful or more carefree? Why?
2. Think of a situation where you felt hopeful. What made you feel that way?
3. What makes a person truly helpful? Give an example from your own life.
4. Is there something you find pointless? Why do you feel that way?
5. Describe a time when you felt powerless to change a situation.

More English grammar exercises Suffixes: -ful or -less? 1
Suffixes: -ful or -less? 2
Compound adjectives 1
Compound adjectives 2