English Suffix -ment Explained: How Verbs Change into Nouns
Understanding how verbs change into nouns is a key step toward clearer, more natural English—especially in academic, business, and professional writing. In this post, you’ll learn six high-frequency verb–noun pairs that every English learner should master.
These words appear constantly in emails, reports, contracts, and exams, so knowing how and when to use them will immediately improve your writing accuracy.
Verb vs. Noun: What’s the Difference?
- Verbs focus on actions or processes
- Nouns focus on concepts, results, or states
English often forms nouns by adding suffixes such as -ment or -ion. Mastering these patterns will help you write more accurately and confidently.
1. Pay → Payment
- pay (verb): to give money for goods or services
- payment (noun): the act or amount of paying
Example:
- Please pay the fee by Friday.
- The payment must be completed in advance.
Common uses:
- online payment, monthly payment, payment method
2. Employ → Employment
- employ (verb): to give someone a job
- employment (noun): the state of having a job or work
Example:
- The company employs over 500 people.
- She is seeking full-time employment.
Common uses:
- employment rate, employment contract, employment status
3. Require → Requirement
- require (verb): to need something
- requirement (noun): something that is necessary
Example:
- This position requires experience.
- Experience is a basic requirement for the role.
Common uses:
- minimum requirement, legal requirement, entry requirement
4. Agree → Agreement
- agree (verb): to have the same opinion or decision
- agreement (noun): a mutual decision or contract
Example:
- Both sides agreed to the terms.
- They signed a formal agreement.
Common uses:
- mutual agreement, written agreement, reach an agreement
5. Develop → Development
- develop (verb): to grow or improve
- development (noun): the process of growth or improvement
Example:
- The team is developing a new product.
- Product development takes time.
Common uses:
- personal development, economic development, software development
6. Move → Movement
- move (verb): to change position or place
- movement (noun): the act or process of moving, or an organized change
Example:
- Please move the table closer to the window.
- The movement of goods was delayed.
Common uses:
- social movement, body movement, movement of people, economic movement
Final Tip for English Learners
When writing formally, ask yourself:
Am I describing an action (verb) or an idea/result (noun)?
Choosing the correct form will instantly make your English sound more natural and professional.
If you’re studying for exams like TOEFL or IELTS—or writing emails and reports at work—these verb–noun pairs are essential building blocks.
🌐 This article is part of our English suffix vocabulary series. Next, learn how the suffix -ence forms nouns from verbs in English.
Build Your English Vocabulary: Mastering the -ence Suffix