Other suffix decisions: -к-/-ск- and vowel families
Several high-frequency suffix contrasts are partly rule-governed and partly lexical.
- Use diagnostic forms and source structure, then verify consonant changes in an academic spelling dictionary.
| Choice | Diagnostic examples | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| -к- qualitative | ре́зкий — ре́зок; у́зкий — у́зок | short form often available |
| -к- from к/ч/ц stems | неме́ц → неме́цкий; ткач → тка́цкий | consonant alternation/merger |
| -ск- relational | францу́зский, матро́сский | no ordinary short quality form |
| -ев- relative | со́евый, плю́шевый | -ев- variant of -ов- |
| -ив- qualitative | лени́вый, милости́вый | quality suffix |
| -лив-/-чив- | забо́тливый, забы́вчивый | always и in suffix |
Read the model
3.20 · Other suffix decisions: -к-/-ск- and vowel families · table 1
-к- qualitative · ре́зкий — ре́зок; у́зкий — у́зок · short form often available-к- from к/ч/ц stems · неме́ц → неме́цкий; ткач → тка́цкий · consonant alternation/mergerMini-check
Choose: забы́вчевый/забы́вчивый. Why check *французкий?
Apply this next
- Say the Russian examples aloud, cover the model, and retrieve the pattern once before continuing.