Question 1

What are person nouns in word formation?

Accepted Answer

Person nouns name people connected with an action, job, role or activity. This page practises endings such as -er, -or, -ist, -ian, -ant, -ent and -ee. Examples include teacher, actor, scientist, assistant and employee. The sentence usually makes it clear that a person is needed, but the suffix choice is not always predictable. Modern English often uses the same person noun for all genders, so actor can refer to any performer unless a specific contrast is intended. Always test the completed answer in the full sentence.

Question 2

How do I choose the right person noun suffix?

Accepted Answer

Look at the base word and the role described in the sentence. Some actions commonly use -er, such as teach to teacher, while other word families use -or, -ist, -ian, -ant or -ee. The suffix is often fixed by usage, not only by meaning. We say artist, not arter, and assistant is more natural than assister in many contexts. Read the job description or role after the gap, then choose the person noun that sounds like an established English word.

Question 3

What is the difference between -er and -ee person nouns?

Accepted Answer

The suffix -er often names the person who does an action, such as employer or trainer. The suffix -ee often names the person who receives or is affected by an action, such as employee or trainee. This difference is useful, but it is not the only pattern on the page. Some roles use -or, -ist, -ian, -ant or -ent. Always check whether the person is doing the action, receiving it, or simply belongs to a profession or activity. Always test the completed answer in the full sentence.

Person Nouns Exercises

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