Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[TALA]

Dear teachers,

I'm wondering why many informal words (two syllables) in English end in y: mummy, daddy, easy, happy, bossy, etc.


Can you list those words that are commonly used in everday situation?

thank you.

[bud]

Tala, I would not describe "mummy," "easy" or "happy" as informal. They are used both formally and informally.

One reason many words end in a "y" is that it is a suffix applied to a noun to make it an adjective. It's an adjective that means "having the quality of the noun." So a snowy landscape is a landscape covered in snow.

Sometimes a word just happens to end in "y" (bevy, hurry) just as other words might end in a "t" or an "e."

Names (and sometimes some other things) get a "y" (or "ie") added to impart a sense of affection or familiarity. Rose becomes Rosie. Dad becomes Daddy. Dave becomes Davy. (It's similar to the use of "-ito" and "-ita" in Spanish. Rosa becomes Rosita, hijo becomes hijito.)

There may be other reasons, but those are the three that come to my mind. I hope it helps.

[TALA]

Thank you Bud.

[bud]

You're welcome!