Basing on R. Quirk’s and Jespersen’s definition, this paper will deal with abstract nouns by semantic pision.
2.1.2 Classifications of abstract nouns
Abstract nouns can be mainly classified into,源Z自+优尔=文)论(文]网[www.youerw.com 4 categories according to Jespersen.
1. Abstract nouns of actions:
They are also called verbal nexus-word for they are derived or transformed from verbs. Most of them are constructed by verb and verb suffixes. For example:
-tion: realization, examination, contribution, organization
-sion: decision, expression, omission
-ment: advertisement, development, achievement
-ence: emergence, dependence, existence
-ance: entrance, hindrance, resistance
-ure: pressure, exposure, closure
-ism: criticism, alcoholism, fatalism
-al: arrival, removal, denial, withdrawal
-ge: knowledge, breakage
-ing: understanding, developing, coloring
In addition, some words are transformed directly but not change their original forms, such as dream,