Does adding the suffix “ality” to a noun change its meaning?
I thought that -ality was used to turn an adjective into a noun : bestial to beastiality, final to finality.
But I see that some people add it onto the end of nouns : criminal to criminality, position to positionality.
What do you think?
nouns suffixes morphology
asked Oct 4 '17 at 23:56
Damian Siniakowicz
63
add a comment |
I thought that -ality was used to turn an adjective into a noun : bestial to beastiality, final to finality.
But I see that some people add it onto the end of nouns : criminal to criminality, position to positionality.
What do you think?
nouns suffixes morphology
asked Oct 4 '17 at 23:56
Damian Siniakowicz
63
2
"Criminal" is also an adjective
– sumelic
Oct 5 '17 at 0:27
Do you mean like adding "ity" to the military rank of General to produce generality??
– Gary's Student
Nov 11 '17 at 1:31
add a comment |
I thought that -ality was used to turn an adjective into a noun : bestial to beastiality, final to finality.
But I see that some people add it onto the end of nouns : criminal to criminality, position to positionality.
What do you think?
nouns suffixes morphology
asked Oct 4 '17 at 23:56
Damian Siniakowicz
63
I thought that -ality was used to turn an adjective into a noun : bestial to beastiality, final to finality.
But I see that some people add it onto the end of nouns : criminal to criminality, position to positionality.
What do you think?
nouns suffixes morphology
nouns suffixes morphology
asked Oct 4 '17 at 23:56
Damian Siniakowicz
63
asked Oct 4 '17 at 23:56
Damian Siniakowicz
63
asked Oct 4 '17 at 23:56
Damian Siniakowicz
63
asked Oct 4 '17 at 23:56
Damian Siniakowicz
63
asked Oct 4 '17 at 23:56
Damian Siniakowicz
63
63
2
"Criminal" is also an adjective
– sumelic
Oct 5 '17 at 0:27
Do you mean like adding "ity" to the military rank of General to produce generality??
– Gary's Student
Nov 11 '17 at 1:31
add a comment |
2
"Criminal" is also an adjective
– sumelic
Oct 5 '17 at 0:27
Do you mean like adding "ity" to the military rank of General to produce generality??
– Gary's Student
Nov 11 '17 at 1:31
2
2
"Criminal" is also an adjective
– sumelic
Oct 5 '17 at 0:27
"Criminal" is also an adjective
– sumelic
Oct 5 '17 at 0:27
Do you mean like adding "ity" to the military rank of General to produce generality??
– Gary's Student
Nov 11 '17 at 1:31
Do you mean like adding "ity" to the military rank of General to produce generality??
– Gary's Student
Nov 11 '17 at 1:31
add a comment |
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
There are three parts to the answer:
PART I
We are not adding '-ality', but '-ity'.
Bestial + -ity = Bestiality
Criminal + -ity = Criminality
Final + -ity = Finality
Positional + -ity = Positionality
Functional + -ity = Functionality
PART II
In each of these examples, we are adding -ity to an adjective and turning it into a noun. Criminal can be noun as well as an adjective. For example, "criminal offence", so can be positional, e.g. 'positional reference'.
So your original hypothesis is correct (with slight adjustment to the suffix). We add -ity to the adjectives ending into -al to form a noun.
PART III
As to your question about the change in meaning. The change is that now you are talking about the phoenomenon of the quality. Finality is a state or phenomenon of the quality 'being final'.
answered Oct 10 '17 at 12:05
Pranesh
311
add a comment |
I believe that you would call -ity a nominalising suffix or noun suffix, which is one that converts other words into nouns.
There are many other such suffixes, for example -ing, -ism, and -ness.
answered Oct 12 '17 at 0:11
jerielsj
322
add a comment |
When I find "functionality" in the American Heritage Dictionary – one of the last to hold out against allowing incorrect usage to change their definitions – it is defined as "The quality of being functional", which is a long-winded way of saying "functional". The field of computer science loves functionality. Instead of saying, "This application has functionality," one could simply say "This application functions."
answered Dec 1 '17 at 20:27
Lance
1
1
"The quality of being functional" is not "a long-winded way of saying 'functional'". A "quality" is a noun; "functional" is an adjective; "functions" in "This application functions" is a verb. Different parts of speech are used in different contexts.
– sumelic
Dec 1 '17 at 20:31
1
No- If the function of a program is to add numbers, then a more functional program would add numbers more quickly or more accurately, or would add irrational numbers or larger numbers than a less functional program. The functionality of the program describes how functional it is. The function and the functionality are not the same thing.
– jejorda2
Dec 1 '17 at 20:32
add a comment |
The use of the "ality" is a classic example of pseudo-intellectual-speak. You'll notice its use by academics trying to up the ante on their shoptalk. It's uncommon and a little bit exotic, allowing people with enough smarts to morph the language but not enough smarts to really say anything meaningful, to appear bright.
answered 13 hours ago
Nik Charles
1
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Nik Charles is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
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4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
There are three parts to the answer:
PART I
We are not adding '-ality', but '-ity'.
Bestial + -ity = Bestiality
Criminal + -ity = Criminality
Final + -ity = Finality
Positional + -ity = Positionality
Functional + -ity = Functionality
PART II
In each of these examples, we are adding -ity to an adjective and turning it into a noun. Criminal can be noun as well as an adjective. For example, "criminal offence", so can be positional, e.g. 'positional reference'.
So your original hypothesis is correct (with slight adjustment to the suffix). We add -ity to the adjectives ending into -al to form a noun.
PART III
As to your question about the change in meaning. The change is that now you are talking about the phoenomenon of the quality. Finality is a state or phenomenon of the quality 'being final'.
answered Oct 10 '17 at 12:05
Pranesh
311
add a comment |
There are three parts to the answer:
PART I
We are not adding '-ality', but '-ity'.
Bestial + -ity = Bestiality
Criminal + -ity = Criminality
Final + -ity = Finality
Positional + -ity = Positionality
Functional + -ity = Functionality
PART II
In each of these examples, we are adding -ity to an adjective and turning it into a noun. Criminal can be noun as well as an adjective. For example, "criminal offence", so can be positional, e.g. 'positional reference'.
So your original hypothesis is correct (with slight adjustment to the suffix). We add -ity to the adjectives ending into -al to form a noun.
PART III
As to your question about the change in meaning. The change is that now you are talking about the phoenomenon of the quality. Finality is a state or phenomenon of the quality 'being final'.
answered Oct 10 '17 at 12:05
Pranesh
311
add a comment |
There are three parts to the answer:
PART I
We are not adding '-ality', but '-ity'.
Bestial + -ity = Bestiality
Criminal + -ity = Criminality
Final + -ity = Finality
Positional + -ity = Positionality
Functional + -ity = Functionality
PART II
In each of these examples, we are adding -ity to an adjective and turning it into a noun. Criminal can be noun as well as an adjective. For example, "criminal offence", so can be positional, e.g. 'positional reference'.
So your original hypothesis is correct (with slight adjustment to the suffix). We add -ity to the adjectives ending into -al to form a noun.
PART III
As to your question about the change in meaning. The change is that now you are talking about the phoenomenon of the quality. Finality is a state or phenomenon of the quality 'being final'.
answered Oct 10 '17 at 12:05
Pranesh
311
There are three parts to the answer:
PART I
We are not adding '-ality', but '-ity'.
Bestial + -ity = Bestiality
Criminal + -ity = Criminality
Final + -ity = Finality
Positional + -ity = Positionality
Functional + -ity = Functionality
PART II
In each of these examples, we are adding -ity to an adjective and turning it into a noun. Criminal can be noun as well as an adjective. For example, "criminal offence", so can be positional, e.g. 'positional reference'.
So your original hypothesis is correct (with slight adjustment to the suffix). We add -ity to the adjectives ending into -al to form a noun.
PART III
As to your question about the change in meaning. The change is that now you are talking about the phoenomenon of the quality. Finality is a state or phenomenon of the quality 'being final'.
answered Oct 10 '17 at 12:05
Pranesh
311
answered Oct 10 '17 at 12:05
Pranesh
311
answered Oct 10 '17 at 12:05
Pranesh
311
answered Oct 10 '17 at 12:05
Pranesh
311
311
add a comment |
add a comment |
I believe that you would call -ity a nominalising suffix or noun suffix, which is one that converts other words into nouns.
There are many other such suffixes, for example -ing, -ism, and -ness.
answered Oct 12 '17 at 0:11
jerielsj
322
add a comment |
I believe that you would call -ity a nominalising suffix or noun suffix, which is one that converts other words into nouns.
There are many other such suffixes, for example -ing, -ism, and -ness.
answered Oct 12 '17 at 0:11
jerielsj
322
add a comment |
I believe that you would call -ity a nominalising suffix or noun suffix, which is one that converts other words into nouns.
There are many other such suffixes, for example -ing, -ism, and -ness.
answered Oct 12 '17 at 0:11
jerielsj
322
I believe that you would call -ity a nominalising suffix or noun suffix, which is one that converts other words into nouns.
There are many other such suffixes, for example -ing, -ism, and -ness.
answered Oct 12 '17 at 0:11
jerielsj
322
answered Oct 12 '17 at 0:11
jerielsj
322
answered Oct 12 '17 at 0:11
jerielsj
322
answered Oct 12 '17 at 0:11
jerielsj
322
322
add a comment |
add a comment |
When I find "functionality" in the American Heritage Dictionary – one of the last to hold out against allowing incorrect usage to change their definitions – it is defined as "The quality of being functional", which is a long-winded way of saying "functional". The field of computer science loves functionality. Instead of saying, "This application has functionality," one could simply say "This application functions."
answered Dec 1 '17 at 20:27
Lance
1
1
"The quality of being functional" is not "a long-winded way of saying 'functional'". A "quality" is a noun; "functional" is an adjective; "functions" in "This application functions" is a verb. Different parts of speech are used in different contexts.
– sumelic
Dec 1 '17 at 20:31
1
No- If the function of a program is to add numbers, then a more functional program would add numbers more quickly or more accurately, or would add irrational numbers or larger numbers than a less functional program. The functionality of the program describes how functional it is. The function and the functionality are not the same thing.
– jejorda2
Dec 1 '17 at 20:32
add a comment |
When I find "functionality" in the American Heritage Dictionary – one of the last to hold out against allowing incorrect usage to change their definitions – it is defined as "The quality of being functional", which is a long-winded way of saying "functional". The field of computer science loves functionality. Instead of saying, "This application has functionality," one could simply say "This application functions."
answered Dec 1 '17 at 20:27
Lance
1
1
"The quality of being functional" is not "a long-winded way of saying 'functional'". A "quality" is a noun; "functional" is an adjective; "functions" in "This application functions" is a verb. Different parts of speech are used in different contexts.
– sumelic
Dec 1 '17 at 20:31
1
No- If the function of a program is to add numbers, then a more functional program would add numbers more quickly or more accurately, or would add irrational numbers or larger numbers than a less functional program. The functionality of the program describes how functional it is. The function and the functionality are not the same thing.
– jejorda2
Dec 1 '17 at 20:32
add a comment |
When I find "functionality" in the American Heritage Dictionary – one of the last to hold out against allowing incorrect usage to change their definitions – it is defined as "The quality of being functional", which is a long-winded way of saying "functional". The field of computer science loves functionality. Instead of saying, "This application has functionality," one could simply say "This application functions."
answered Dec 1 '17 at 20:27
Lance
1
When I find "functionality" in the American Heritage Dictionary – one of the last to hold out against allowing incorrect usage to change their definitions – it is defined as "The quality of being functional", which is a long-winded way of saying "functional". The field of computer science loves functionality. Instead of saying, "This application has functionality," one could simply say "This application functions."
answered Dec 1 '17 at 20:27
Lance
1
answered Dec 1 '17 at 20:27
Lance
1
answered Dec 1 '17 at 20:27
Lance
1
answered Dec 1 '17 at 20:27
Lance
1
1
1
"The quality of being functional" is not "a long-winded way of saying 'functional'". A "quality" is a noun; "functional" is an adjective; "functions" in "This application functions" is a verb. Different parts of speech are used in different contexts.
– sumelic
Dec 1 '17 at 20:31
1
No- If the function of a program is to add numbers, then a more functional program would add numbers more quickly or more accurately, or would add irrational numbers or larger numbers than a less functional program. The functionality of the program describes how functional it is. The function and the functionality are not the same thing.
– jejorda2
Dec 1 '17 at 20:32
add a comment |
1
"The quality of being functional" is not "a long-winded way of saying 'functional'". A "quality" is a noun; "functional" is an adjective; "functions" in "This application functions" is a verb. Different parts of speech are used in different contexts.
– sumelic
Dec 1 '17 at 20:31
1
No- If the function of a program is to add numbers, then a more functional program would add numbers more quickly or more accurately, or would add irrational numbers or larger numbers than a less functional program. The functionality of the program describes how functional it is. The function and the functionality are not the same thing.
– jejorda2
Dec 1 '17 at 20:32
1
1
"The quality of being functional" is not "a long-winded way of saying 'functional'". A "quality" is a noun; "functional" is an adjective; "functions" in "This application functions" is a verb. Different parts of speech are used in different contexts.
– sumelic
Dec 1 '17 at 20:31
"The quality of being functional" is not "a long-winded way of saying 'functional'". A "quality" is a noun; "functional" is an adjective; "functions" in "This application functions" is a verb. Different parts of speech are used in different contexts.
– sumelic
Dec 1 '17 at 20:31
1
1
No- If the function of a program is to add numbers, then a more functional program would add numbers more quickly or more accurately, or would add irrational numbers or larger numbers than a less functional program. The functionality of the program describes how functional it is. The function and the functionality are not the same thing.
– jejorda2
Dec 1 '17 at 20:32
No- If the function of a program is to add numbers, then a more functional program would add numbers more quickly or more accurately, or would add irrational numbers or larger numbers than a less functional program. The functionality of the program describes how functional it is. The function and the functionality are not the same thing.
– jejorda2
Dec 1 '17 at 20:32
add a comment |
The use of the "ality" is a classic example of pseudo-intellectual-speak. You'll notice its use by academics trying to up the ante on their shoptalk. It's uncommon and a little bit exotic, allowing people with enough smarts to morph the language but not enough smarts to really say anything meaningful, to appear bright.
answered 13 hours ago
Nik Charles
1
New contributor
Nik Charles is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
The use of the "ality" is a classic example of pseudo-intellectual-speak. You'll notice its use by academics trying to up the ante on their shoptalk. It's uncommon and a little bit exotic, allowing people with enough smarts to morph the language but not enough smarts to really say anything meaningful, to appear bright.
answered 13 hours ago
Nik Charles
1
New contributor
Nik Charles is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
The use of the "ality" is a classic example of pseudo-intellectual-speak. You'll notice its use by academics trying to up the ante on their shoptalk. It's uncommon and a little bit exotic, allowing people with enough smarts to morph the language but not enough smarts to really say anything meaningful, to appear bright.
answered 13 hours ago
Nik Charles
1
New contributor
Nik Charles is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
The use of the "ality" is a classic example of pseudo-intellectual-speak. You'll notice its use by academics trying to up the ante on their shoptalk. It's uncommon and a little bit exotic, allowing people with enough smarts to morph the language but not enough smarts to really say anything meaningful, to appear bright.
answered 13 hours ago
Nik Charles
1
New contributor
Nik Charles is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 13 hours ago
Nik Charles
1
New contributor
Nik Charles is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 13 hours ago
Nik Charles
1
answered 13 hours ago
Nik Charles
1
1
New contributor
Nik Charles is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Nik Charles is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Nik Charles is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
add a comment |
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2
"Criminal" is also an adjective
– sumelic
Oct 5 '17 at 0:27
Do you mean like adding "ity" to the military rank of General to produce generality??
– Gary's Student
Nov 11 '17 at 1:31