Here comes another one of my confirmation bias. Some words with structure-like characteristics tend to share the same ending in -ment, such as tenement, apartment, department, and basement. It follows

Search from various English teachers...

REZ

Here comes another one of my confirmation bias. Some words with structure-like characteristics tend to share the same ending in -ment, such as tenement, apartment, department, and basement. It follows the same logic for some words with a sense of binding, uniting, or gathering: nation, station, constellation, congregation, etc. Is my radar receiving the wrong signal? Would it work to swap the ending for these words in the first place? Say no to SPAM. https://www.italki.com/en/post/ritXZ4uxQva4hlPoqaTAz2

Apr 6, 2025 1:05 AM

Answers · 5

Etymologically, the suffix Ment means Mind. Hence the word Mental = of the Mind. Entertainment = Mind Trap Government = Mind Control I'm not joking. This is where these words come from.

Apr 6, 2025 12:12 PM

As a native English speaker, we don't even consider these structures as building blocks, unless you are in an English class that is explaining "rules", "grammar", etc and preparing to take a test. We just learn the english words in context, just like all other people in their own native language learn their own words. There is no "trick" or "hack". Russian has these similar characteristics but natives don't notice them usually and can't really explain them, and then there are "exceptions" so it makes learning the characteristic useless because of the exceptions. Rez, your English is very good....good job! Is your native language Russian?

Apr 6, 2025 8:03 AM

Still haven’t found your answers?

Write down your questions and let the native speakers help you!