MTEL Communication Literacy Skills : Reading Practice Test

Which of the following best describes the noun suffix -ance?

1. Result, action

2. State, result

3. Act, condition, fact

4. Position

The correct answer is: Act, condition, fact

The noun suffix -ance is commonly used to indicate a state, condition, or quality that is the result of an action or process. This makes the choice that involves "Act, condition, fact" the most suitable description. When added to a root word, -ance often transforms verbs into nouns that highlight the action associated with the verb, alongside the condition or state that results from that action. For instance, in the word "tolerance," it denotes the state of being tolerant, which directly ties back to the action of tolerating. Thus, the suffix adds a layer of meaning that encapsulates both the action and the resulting state or condition associated with it. This understanding ties the suffix closely to the ideas of action and the conditions that arise from those actions.