Spelling the word endings ous and us
 |
The suffix ous means 'full of'.
Adding this suffix usually changes a noun into an adjective. |
| danger > dangerous |
adventure > adventurous |
fury > furious |
Words ending in ous do not always split clearly into root word
and suffix,
for example:
| enormous |
serious |
anonymous |
fabulous |
When there is a clear root word, normal rules for suffixes apply (most of the time!):
1. If the root word ends in e,
drop the e when you add ous:
| fame + ous = famous |
virtue + ous = virtuous |
|
2. Unless the root ends in ge, in which case keep the e (see Unit 19, p8 for more details):
| advantage + ous = advantageous |
|
3. When the root word
ends in y, change y to i and add ous:
| vary + ous = various |
ceremony + ous = ceremonious |
 |
Watch out for rule breaking beauty – beauteous and pity – piteous where the y changes for e not i |
|
| 4. For British
spellers only. |
 |
When the root ends our, change for or and add ous:
| glamour + ous = glamorous |
odour + ous = odorous
|
|
Go to a test in these suffixing rules.
