CONFUSING SUFFIXES

This appendix is intended to help you with some problematic suffixes required by the SSAA questions in SEMINAR TASK
SHEET 05 (TEAM BUILDING). You can also use it in preparation for other exams, or as reference.

Regarding some derivatives in English, there are two spelling variants of the same suffix – only one is correct, with the
exception of the -ic / -ical pair (see below)! No spelling rules exist for the following:

-ence / -ance impertinence, tolerance etc.

-ent / - ant impertinent, tolerant etc.
-able / -ible accountable, responsible etc.
-ability / -ibility accountability, responsibility etc.
-ic / -ical economic, economical etc.

Caution! In the case of the -ic / -ical pair please pay attention to possible differences in meaning! For example,
economic refers to the economy (e.g. economic reform, economic problems etc.); economical refers to not wasting
money, time, fuel, resources etc. (e.g. an economical car, an economical person). See the relevant task below.

On the following pages you will find exhaustive lists of derivatives containing the suffix pairs above. In order to make the
most of these lists, do the following tasks – for all three tasks you may need to use a dictionary; pay attention to spelling
and the example sentences!

task 1
Look at each group of words. Decide which words contain the suffixes in question
and which do not. For example, forgettable contains the suffix -able; table
contains no such suffix – it simply contains the group of letters -able (these four
letters are not a suffix here).

task 2
Print out these lists and highlight all derivatives containing -able, -ible etc. (based
on TASK 1 above).

task 3
Look up the differences regarding the following pairs: classic / classical, magic /
magical, comic / comical, economic / economical.

task 4
Whenever you solve the relevant SSAA questions in TASK SHEET 05 (TEAM
BUILDING), refer to these lists for confirmation.

1
-ence
evidence noun occurrence noun
excellence noun offence noun
excrescence noun omnipotence noun
exigence omnipresence noun
abhorrence noun existence noun omniscience noun
absence noun experience noun opalescence noun
abstinence noun experience verb opulence noun
acquiescence noun fence noun overindulgence noun
adherence noun fence verb patience noun
adolescence noun flatulence noun penitence noun
affluence noun fluorescence noun permanence noun
ambience noun grandiloquence noun persistence noun
ambivalence noun hence adverb pertinence noun
audience noun impatience noun pestilence noun
belligerence noun impermanence noun phosphorescence noun
beneficence noun impertinence noun precedence noun
benevolence noun impotence noun preference noun
bioscience noun imprudence noun prescience noun
cadence noun impudence noun presence noun
circumference noun incandescence noun pretence noun
coexistence noun incidence noun prevalence noun
coherence noun incoherence noun prominence noun
coincidence noun incompetence noun providence noun
commence verb incontinence noun prudence noun
competence noun inconvenience noun putrescence noun
concurrence noun inconvenience verb quiescence noun
conference noun independence noun quintessence noun
confidence noun indifference noun recurrence noun
confluence noun indigence noun redolence noun
congruence noun indolence noun reference noun
conscience noun indulgence noun reference verb
consequence noun inexperience noun reminiscence noun
convalescence noun inference noun residence noun
convenience noun influence noun resilience noun
convergence noun influence verb resplendence noun
correspondence noun innocence noun resurgence noun
counterintelligence noun insistence noun reticence noun
decadence noun insolence noun reverence noun
defence noun intelligence noun science noun
deference noun interdependence noun sentence noun
dependence noun interference noun sentence verb
deterrence noun intransigence noun sequence noun
difference noun iridescence noun silence noun
diffidence noun jurisprudence noun silence verb
diligence noun lenience sixpence noun
disobedience noun licence noun submergence noun
divergence noun luminescence noun subservience noun
ebullience noun magnificence noun subsidence noun
effervescence noun malevolence noun subsistence noun
eloquence noun munificence noun superintendence noun
emergence noun negligence noun teleconference noun
eminence noun neuroscience noun thence adverb
equivalence noun obedience noun threepence noun
essence noun obsolescence noun transcendence noun
2
 -ance
transference noun distance noun
transience noun distance verb
translucence noun distance adjective
truculence noun disturbance noun
turbulence noun absorbance noun dominance noun
twopence noun abundance noun elegance noun
valence noun acceptance noun encumbrance noun
vehemence noun acquaintance noun endurance noun
videoconference noun admittance noun enhance verb
violence noun advance noun entrance noun
virulence noun advance verb entrance verb
whence adverb, conjunction advance adjective exorbitance noun
allegiance noun extravagance noun
alliance noun exuberance noun
allowance noun fiancé noun
ambiance finance noun
ambulance noun finance verb
annoyance noun flamboyance noun
appearance noun forbearance noun
appliance noun fragrance noun
arrogance noun freelance adjective
assistance noun freelance verb
assonance noun freelance
assurance noun furtherance noun
attendance noun glance verb
avoidance noun glance noun
balance noun governance noun
balance verb grievance noun
brilliance noun guidance noun
chance noun happenstance noun
chance verb hindrance noun
chance adjective ignorance noun
circumstance noun imbalance noun
clairvoyance noun impedance noun
clearance noun importance noun
cognizance noun inheritance noun
comeuppance noun insignificance noun
complaisance noun insouciance noun
compliance noun instance noun
concordance noun instance verb
connivance noun insurance noun
continuance noun intemperance noun
contrivance noun intolerance noun
conveyance noun irrelevance noun
countenance noun lance noun
countenance verb lance verb
counterbalance verb lapdance noun
counterbalance noun maintenance noun
dalliance noun malfeasance noun
dance verb misalliance noun
dance noun mischance noun
defiance noun nonacceptance noun
deliverance noun nonchalance noun
deviance noun nuance noun
disappearance noun nuisance noun
dissonance noun
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 -ent
obeisance noun
observance noun
ordinance noun
ordnance noun
outdistance verb abandonment noun
overbalance verb abasement noun
parlance noun abatement noun
penance noun abhorrent adjective
perchance adverb abridgement noun
performance noun absent adjective
perseverance noun absorbent adjective
petulance noun abstinent adjective
pittance noun accent noun
prance verb accent verb
predominance noun accident noun
preponderance noun accompaniment noun
protuberance noun accomplishment noun
provenance noun achievement noun
radiance noun acknowledgment noun
reappearance noun acquiescent adjective
reassurance noun adherent noun
recalcitrance noun adjacent adjective
reconnaissance noun adjournment noun
refinance verb adjustment noun
reinsurance noun admonishment noun
relevance noun adolescent noun
reliance noun adolescent adjective
reluctance noun adornment noun
remembrance noun advancement noun
remittance noun Advent noun
remonstrance noun advertisement noun
renaissance noun affluent adjective
repentance noun agent noun
repugnance noun aggrandisement
resemblance noun aggrandizement noun
resistance noun agreement noun
resonance noun ailment noun
romance noun alignment noun
romance verb allotment noun
seance noun amazement noun
severance noun ambient adjective
significance noun ambient noun
stance noun ambivalent adjective
substance noun amendment noun
superabundance noun amusement noun
surveillance noun ancient adjective
sustenance noun announcement noun
temperance noun annulment noun
tolerance noun antecedent noun
trance noun apartment noun
utterance noun apparent adjective
valance noun appeasement noun
variance noun appointment noun
vengeance noun apportionment noun
vigilance noun ardent adjective
argument noun
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armament noun confident adjective development noun
arraignment noun confinement noun devilment noun
arrangement noun congruent adjective different adjective
ascent noun consent noun diffident adjective
assent noun consent verb diligent adjective
assent verb consequent adjective disablement noun
assessment noun consignment noun disagreement noun
assignment noun consistent adjective disappointment noun
assortment noun constituent noun disarmament noun
astonishment noun constituent adjective disbursement noun
astringent adjective containment noun discernment noun
astringent noun content noun discontent noun
atonement noun content adjective discouragement noun
attachment noun content verb disenchantment noun
attainment noun content noun disengagement noun
augment verb contentment noun disestablishment noun
banishment noun continent noun disillusionment noun
basement noun contingent noun disinvestment noun
belligerent adjective contingent adjective dismemberment noun
belligerent noun convalescent adjective disobedient adjective
beneficent adjective convenient adjective disorient verb
benevolent adjective convent noun disparagement noun
bent adjective corpulent adjective displacement noun
bent noun correspondent noun dissent noun
bereavement noun correspondent adjective dissent verb
betterment noun cotangent noun dissident noun
bewilderment noun crescent noun divergent adjective
bombardment noun crosscurrent noun divestment noun
cantonment noun current adjective document noun
casement noun current noun document verb
cement noun curtailment noun ebullient adjective
cement verb debasement noun edutainment noun
cent noun decadent adjective effervescent adjective
chastisement noun decent adjective efficient adjective
circumvent verb deficient adjective effluent noun
clement adjective defragment verb element noun
client noun delinquent adjective elopement noun
coefficient noun delinquent noun eloquent adjective
cogent adjective denouement noun
coherent adjective dent noun
commandment noun dent verb
commencement noun department noun
comment noun dependent adjective
comment verb dependent noun
commitment noun deployment noun
compartment noun deportment noun
competent adjective derailment noun
complacent adjective derangement noun
complement verb descent noun
complement noun despondent adjective
compliment noun detachment noun
compliment verb detergent noun
component noun deterrent noun
concurrent adjective deterrent adjective
condiment noun detriment noun

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-ant
croissant noun implant noun
currant noun implant verb
decant verb important adjective
decongestant noun incessant adjective
aberrant adjective defendant noun inconstant adjective
abundant adjective defiant adjective indignant adjective
accountant noun defoliant noun inelegant adjective
adamant adjective deodorant noun infant noun
adjutant noun dependant noun infant adjective
ant noun depressant noun informant noun
anticoagulant noun descant noun inhabitant noun
antidepressant noun descendant noun inhalant noun
antioxidant noun determinant noun insignificant adjective
antiperspirant noun deviant adjective insouciant adjective
appellant noun deviant noun instant adjective
applicant noun discordant adjective instant noun
arrant adjective disinfectant noun intolerant adjective
arrogant adjective dissonant adjective irrelevant adjective
ascendant adjective distant adjective irritant noun
assailant noun dominant adjective itinerant adjective
assistant noun dormant adjective itinerant noun
assistant adjective eggplant noun jubilant adjective
attendant noun elegant adjective lieutenant noun
attendant adjective elephant noun litigant noun
blackcurrant noun emigrant noun lubricant noun
blatant adjective enchant verb luxuriant adjective
bouffant adjective entrant noun maidservant noun
brilliant adjective equidistant adjective malignant adjective
buoyant adjective errant adjective manservant noun
cant noun exfoliant noun mendicant noun
celebrant noun exorbitant adjective merchant noun
chant verb expectant adjective migrant noun
chant noun expectorant noun migrant adjective
claimant noun extant adjective militant adjective
clairvoyant adjective extravagant adjective militant noun
clairvoyant noun exuberant adjective miscreant noun
cognizant adjective exultant adjective mordant adjective
colourant noun flagrant adjective mutant noun
combatant noun flamboyant adjective nonchalant adjective
commandant noun flippant adjective observant adjective
communicant noun fondant noun occupant noun
complainant noun fragrant adjective pageant noun
compliant adjective gallant adjective pant verb
concomitant adjective gallant noun participant noun
confidant noun gallivant verb peasant noun
consonant noun giant noun pedant noun
constant adjective giant adjective penchant noun
constant noun grant verb pendant noun
consultant noun grant noun pennant noun
contaminant noun hesitant adjective petulant adjective
contestant noun houseplant noun pheasant noun
conversant adjective hydrant noun piquant adjective
coolant noun ignorant adjective plant noun
cormorant noun immigrant noun plant verb
covenant noun immunosuppressant adjective pleasant adjective
covenant verb
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 -able
pliant adjective conceivable adjective
poignant adjective considerable adjective
pollutant noun constable noun
predicant noun consumable adjective
predominant adjective abominable adjective consumable noun
pregnant adjective acceptable adjective controllable adjective
preponderant adjective accountable adjective countable adjective
propellant noun achievable adjective creditable adjective
Protestant noun actionable adjective culpable adjective
Protestant adjective adaptable adjective curable adjective
protuberant adjective adjustable adjective damnable adjective
quadrant noun admirable adjective debatable adjective
radiant adjective adorable adjective delectable adjective
rampant adjective advisable adjective deliverable noun
rant verb affable adjective demonstrable adjective
rant noun affordable adjective deniable adjective
reactant noun agreeable adjective dependable adjective
recalcitrant adjective allowable adjective deplorable adjective
recant verb amenable adjective desirable adjective
redcurrant noun amiable adjective despicable adjective
redundant adjective amicable adjective detachable adjective
relaxant noun answerable adjective detectable adjective
relevant adjective applicable adjective detestable adjective
reliant adjective appreciable adjective disable verb
reluctant adjective approachable adjective disagreeable adjective
remnant noun arable adjective discreditable adjective
repentant adjective arguable adjective dishonourable adjective
repugnant adjective attainable adjective dispensable adjective
resistant adjective attributable adjective disposable adjective
resonant adjective available adjective disputable adjective
restaurant noun avoidable adjective disreputable adjective
resultant adjective bankable adjective distinguishable adjective
ruminant noun bearable adjective doable adjective
savant noun believable adjective downloadable adjective
scant adjective biddable adjective drinkable adjective
sealant noun biodegradable adjective durable adjective
sergeant noun bookable adjective dutiable adjective
servant noun breakable adjective eatable adjective
breathable adjective employable adjective
cable noun enable verb
calculable adjective endurable adjective
capable adjective enjoyable adjective
certifiable adjective enviable adjective
changeable adjective equable adjective
chargeable adjective equitable adjective
charitable adjective estimable adjective
clickable adjective excitable adjective
clubbable adjective excusable adjective
collectable adjective execrable adjective
collectable noun executable adjective
comfortable adjective expandable adjective
commendable adjective expendable adjective
communicable adjective explicable adjective
commutable adjective extraditable adjective
companionable adjective fable noun
comparable adjective
7

fanciable adjective
fashionable adjective
favorable
favourable adjective
flammable adjective
foreseeable adjective
forgettable adjective
forgivable adjective
formidable adjective
friable adjective
gable noun
gradable adjective
habitable adjective
honourable adjective
hospitable adjective
identifiable adjective
imaginable adjective
immeasurable adjective
immovable adjective
immutable adjective
impassable adjective
impeccable adjective
impenetrable adjective
imperishable adjective
impermeable adjective
imperturbable adjective
implacable adjective
imponderable noun
impracticable adjective
impregnable adjective
impressionable adjective
improbable adjective
inadvisable adjective
inalienable adjective
inapplicable adjective
incalculable adjective
incapable adjective
incomparable adjective
inconceivable adjective
inconsiderable adjective
inconsolable adjective
incontestable adjective
incurable adjective
indecipherable adjective
indefatigable adjective
indefinable adjective
indescribable adjective
indeterminable adjective
indictable adjective
indispensable adjective
indisputable adjective
indistinguishable adjective
indomitable adjective
ineffable adjective
ineluctable adjective
-ible
inequitable adjective
ineradicable adjective
inescapable adjective
inestimable adjective
inevitable adjective accessible adjective
inexcusable adjective admissible adjective
inexorable adjective audible adjective
inexplicable adjective bible noun
inextricable adjective collapsible adjective
inflammable adjective combustible adjective
inflatable adjective compatible adjective
inflatable noun comprehensible adjective
inhabitable adjective contemptible adjective
inhospitable adjective convertible noun
inimitable adjective convertible adjective
innumerable adjective corruptible adjective
inoperable adjective credible adjective
insatiable adjective crucible noun
inscrutable adjective deductible adjective
inseparable adjective defensible adjective
insufferable adjective digestible adjective
insuperable adjective dirigible noun
insupportable adjective discernible adjective
insurmountable adjective divisible adjective
interchangeable adjective edible adjective
interminable adjective eligible adjective
intolerable adjective fallible adjective
intractable adjective feasible adjective
invaluable adjective flexible adjective
invariable adjective foible noun
inviolable adjective forcible adjective
invulnerable adjective gullible adjective
irreconcilable adjective horrible adjective
irrecoverable adjective illegible adjective
irredeemable adjective imperceptible adjective
irrefutable adjective implausible adjective
impossible adjective
inaccessible adjective
inadmissible adjective
inaudible adjective
incompatible adjective
incomprehensible adjective
incontrovertible adjective
incorrigible adjective
incorruptible adjective
incredible adjective
indefensible adjective
indelible adjective
indestructible adjective
indigestible adjective
indiscernible adjective
indivisible adjective
inedible adjective
ineligible adjective
inexhaustible adjective
inexpressible adjective
8
 -ability -ibility
infallible adjective
inflexible adjective
insensible adjective
intangible adjective
intelligible adjective acceptability noun accessibility noun
invincible adjective accountability noun admissibility noun
invisible adjective adaptability noun compatibility noun
irascible adjective advisability noun credibility noun
irreducible adjective affability noun eligibility noun
irrepressible adjective amiability noun fallibility noun
irresistible adjective applicability noun feasibility noun
irresponsible adjective availability noun flexibility noun
irreversible adjective capability noun gullibility noun
legible adjective changeability noun impossibility noun
mandible noun disability noun inaccessibility noun
negligible adjective durability noun inadmissibility noun
ostensible adjective inability noun incompatibility noun
perceptible adjective inadvisability noun incorruptibility noun
permissible adjective inapplicability noun infallibility noun
plausible adjective inevitability noun inflexibility noun
possible adjective inscrutability noun insensibility noun
possible noun inseparability noun intelligibility noun
reducible adjective instability noun invincibility noun
reprehensible adjective interchangeability noun invisibility noun
reproducible adjective intractability noun noncompatibility noun
responsible adjective inviolability noun plausibility noun
reversible adjective invulnerability noun possibility noun
risible adjective irritability noun responsibility noun
sensible adjective liability noun reversibility noun
submersible adjective malleability noun sensibility noun
suggestible adjective marketability noun suggestibility noun
susceptible adjective mutability noun susceptibility noun
tangible adjective navigability noun tangibility noun
terrible adjective permeability noun visibility noun
unfeasible adjective pliability noun
unintelligible adjective portability noun
visible adjective practicability noun
predictability noun
probability noun
profitability noun
readability noun
reliability noun
respectability noun
separability noun
stability noun
suitability noun
sustainability noun
transferability noun
unaccountability noun
unavailability noun
usability noun
viability noun
vulnerability noun

9
-ic
archaic adjective catalytic adjective
archbishopric noun catastrophic adjective
arctic adjective catatonic adjective
Arctic adjective cathartic adjective
academic adjective aristocratic adjective catholic adjective
academic noun arithmetic noun Catholic noun
acerbic adjective arithmetic adjective Catholic adjective
acidic adjective aromatic adjective caustic adjective
acoustic adjective arsenic noun Celtic adjective
acrobatic adjective arthritic adjective ceramic adjective
acrostic noun artistic adjective chaotic adjective
acrylic noun ascetic adjective characteristic noun
aerobic adjective ascetic noun characteristic adjective
aerodynamic adjective aseptic adjective charismatic adjective
aeronautic adjective Asiatic adjective chauvinistic adjective
aesthetic adjective aspic noun cherubic adjective
aesthetic noun asthmatic adjective chic adjective
agnostic noun asthmatic noun chic noun
agnostic adjective astigmatic adjective chiropractic noun
agoraphobic adjective asymmetric chocoholic noun
-aholic suffix asymptomatic adjective choleric adjective
alcoholic adjective atavistic adjective choreographic adjective
alcoholic noun ataxic adjective chromatic adjective
algebraic adjective atheistic adjective chronic adjective
allergic adjective athletic adjective cinematic adjective
alphabetic atmospheric adjective civic adjective
alphanumeric adjective atomic adjective classic adjective
altruistic adjective ATSIC classic noun
amoebic adjective attic noun claustrophobic adjective
anachronistic adjective authentic adjective cleric noun
anaemic adjective autistic adjective climactic adjective
anaerobic adjective autocratic adjective climatic adjective
anaesthetic noun automatic adjective clinic noun
analgesic noun automatic noun colic noun
analytic axiomatic adjective colonic adjective
anarchic adjective Ayurvedic adjective comic adjective
anarchistic adjective balletic adjective comic noun
anemic Baltic adjective concentric adjective
anesthetic barbaric adjective cosmetic adjective
angelic adjective basic adjective cosmic adjective
anorexic adjective BASIC noun craic noun
anorexic noun beatific adjective critic noun
antagonistic adjective biometric adjective cryptic adjective
anthropocentric adjective bionic adjective cubic adjective
anthropomorphic adjective biopic noun cybernetic adjective
antibiotic noun bishopric noun cynic noun
anticlimactic adjective bombastic adjective Cyrillic adjective
antipathetic adjective bucolic adjective deictic adjective
antiseptic noun bulimic adjective democratic adjective
apathetic adjective bureaucratic adjective demographic adjective
apocalyptic adjective calorific adjective demographic noun
apologetic adjective cambric noun demonic adjective
apoplectic adjective capitalistic demotic adjective
apostolic adjective carcinogenic adjective despotic adjective
aquatic adjective cataclysmic adjective diabetic adjective
Arabic noun
10
 -ical
diabetic noun ethical adjective
diachronic adjective etymological adjective
diacritic noun evangelical adjective
diagnostic adjective fanatical adjective
dialectic noun aeronautical adjective farcical adjective
diatonic adjective ahistorical adjective genealogical adjective
didactic adjective allegorical adjective geographical adjective
diplomatic adjective alphabetical adjective geological adjective
disyllabic adjective analytical adjective geometrical
diuretic noun anatomical adjective geophysical adjective
dogmatic adjective anthropological adjective geopolitical adjective
domestic adjective anticlerical adjective grammatical adjective
domestic noun antithetical adjective graphical adjective
Doric adjective apolitical adjective gynaecological adjective
dramatic adjective archaeological adjective heretical adjective
drastic adjective arithmetical hierarchical adjective
dynamic adjective astrological adjective historical adjective
dynamic noun astronomical adjective hypercritical adjective
dynastic adjective astrophysical adjective hypocritical adjective
dyslexic adjective asymmetrical adjective hypothetical adjective
dyslexic noun atypical adjective hysterical adjective
dyspeptic adjective autobiographical adjective identical adjective
eccentric adjective biblical adjective ideological adjective
eccentric noun biochemical adjective illogical adjective
ecclesiastic noun biographical adjective impractical adjective
ecclesiastic biological adjective inimical adjective
eclectic adjective biomedical adjective ironical
economic adjective botanical adjective lackadaisical adjective
ecstatic adjective canonical adjective lexical adjective
ectopic adjective categorical adjective liturgical adjective
egocentric adjective cervical adjective logical adjective
EHIC noun chemical noun logistical adjective
elastic noun chemical adjective lyrical adjective
elastic adjective chimerical adjective magical adjective
electric adjective chronological adjective mathematical adjective
electromagnetic adjective classical adjective mechanical adjective
electronic adjective clerical adjective medical adjective
emblematic adjective clinical adjective medical noun
comical adjective metallurgical adjective
conical adjective metaphorical adjective
critical adjective metaphysical adjective
cyclical adjective meteorological adjective
cylindrical adjective methodical adjective
cynical adjective methodological adjective
diabolical adjective metrical adjective
dialectical adjective microbiological adjective
ecclesiastical adjective microsurgical adjective
ecological adjective monarchical adjective
economical adjective morphological adjective
ecumenical adjective musical adjective
egotistical adjective musical noun
electrical adjective musicological adjective
elliptical adjective mystical adjective
empirical adjective mythical adjective
encyclical noun mythological adjective
entomological adjective
11
nautical adjective piratical adjective stereotypical adjective
neoclassical adjective poetical stoical adjective
neurological adjective polemical adjective subtropical adjective
nonsensical adjective political adjective surgical adjective
numerical adjective practical adjective symmetrical adjective
nutraceutical noun practical noun tactical adjective
ontological adjective problematical tautological adjective
optical adjective prototypical adjective technical adjective
ornithological adjective psychoanalytical adjective technological adjective
orthographical adjective psychological adjective terminological adjective
paradoxical adjective puritanical adjective theatrical adjective
paramedical adjective quizzical adjective theological adjective
parenthetical adjective rabbinical adjective theoretical adjective
pathological adjective radical adjective topical adjective
pedagogical adjective radical noun topographical adjective
periodical noun rhetorical adjective tropical adjective
periodical adjective rhythmical typical adjective
petrochemical noun sabbatical noun typographical
phantasmagorical adjective satirical adjective tyrannical adjective
pharmaceutical adjective scatological adjective uncritical adjective
pharmacological adjective sceptical adjective uneconomical adjective
philological adjective seismological adjective unethical adjective
philosophical adjective semitropical adjective ungrammatical adjective
phonological adjective sociological adjective untypical adjective
physical adjective sociopolitical adjective vertical adjective
physical noun spherical adjective vertical noun
physiological adjective statistical adjective whimsical adjective

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