By looking at suffixes like -ment, -or, and -tion, you can usually determine if a word ending is a noun. Verb endings often include -ize, -ate, while adjectives may end in -ive or -able. Adverbs typically end in -ly. Verbs usually follow helping verbs. Adjectives commonly follow very. Nouns tend to follow pronouns. And adverbs can precede or follow main verbs.

1. Quick and easy

2. + You can usually guess what kind of work it is
by looking at the ending. Most of the time:
+ Nouns: -ment, -or, -tion
– development, operator, location
+ Verbs: -ize, -ate
– realize, maximize, operate, tolerate
+ Adjectives: -ive, able
– productive, understandable
+ Adverbs: -ly
– quickly, beautifully, strongly

3. + verbs come after to, will, won’t, could,
couldn’t, etc.
– We need to study for the test.
+ Adjectives usually come after very
– That dog is very ugly.
+ nouns usually come after pronouns
– I want to plan our vacation.
+ adverbs can go before or after main verbs
– She sat down gracefully.
– I actually wanted to laugh when I saw his face.