derivational morphology - Is there a rule or pattern for figuring out which suffix should be used when creating a noun from a verb?



How can we decide which suffix is used to create a noun from a verb? Consider these suffixes: -ee, -er, -or, -ment, -al, -ant, -ation.


For example, when we form the noun "examination" the suffix "-ation" is used, not "-al" or "-ant".




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