Suffixes -ic versus -ical

Common suffixes for adjectives

Some adjectives are formed from nouns and others are formed from verbs. The word forms are from Latin, Greek and other languages. There is no simple rule for adding suffixes, but there are common patterns.

Common Adjective Suffixes Noun → Adjective
Suffix	Meaning	Example
-AL	having the form or character of	accident – accidental universe –universal
-ARY	relating to quality or place	moment – momentary honor – honorary
-FUL	full of	beauty – beautiful skill – skillful
-IC	having the nature of; caused by	base – basic science – scientific
-ICAL	having the nature of	magic – magical practice – practical
-ISH	origin, nature	fool – foolish child – childish
-LESS	without	power – powerless use – useless
-LIKE	like	life – lifelike child – childlike
-Y, -LY	characterised by, like	rain – rainy fun – funny day – daily
-OUS	quality, nature	danger – dangerous mystery – mysterious
Common Adjective Suffixes Verb → Adjective
-ABLE; -IBLE	able, can do	agree – agreeable pass – passable access – accessible flex – flexible
-ANT; - ENT	performing agent	please – pleasant resist – resistant depend – dependent differ – different
-IVE; -ING	causing effect	confuse – confusing amaze – amusing create – creative prevent – preventive
-ED; -EN	receiving effect	excite – excited surprise – surprised darken – darkened widen – widened

Suffixes -ic versus -ical

-IC	-ICAL
There is no particular way to know whether a word will use the -ic or the -ical ending. The suffix -ic comes from French -ique, or Greek -ikos and means having the nature of, or causing something.   academic, algebraic, arithmetic, artistic, athletic, catholic, domestic, dramatic, egoistic, emphatic, energetic, fantastic, geometric, strategic, linguistic, majestic, neurotic, pathetic, pedagogic, phonetic, public, semantic, syntactic, systematic, tragic	The -ical form is often added to a word that already has a final -ic. Such adjectives often have a different or an additional meaning from the more basic -ic form.     alphabetical, alphanumerical, archaeological, biblical, biological, chemical, chronological, critical, cynical, ethical, grammatical, fanatical, illogical, logical, mathematical, mechanical, medical, musical, pedagogical, physical, radical, surgical tactical, topical
He buys classic cars. (traditional, old style)   His comic verse filled books. (artistic comedy)     His economic theory was proved unsound. (of the science of economics)   An electric motor powered the car. (a particular machine)   We had a fantastic trip. (extremely good, attractive, or enjoyable)   That was a historic moment. (recorded in past history)   The hysteric woman was out of control. (unable to control your behavior or emotions)   The little girl played with a magic wand. (of a mysterious source)   He wrote in a poetic speech. (imaginative, having the quality of poetry, like poetry)   It's not politic to ask such questions. (wise)	We listen to classical music. (from a cultural (sometimes Greek, Roman, European) source, or 18thC).   His comical verse entertained audiences. (funny)   He chose an economical car. (inexpensive to use)   Electrical equipment makes our work easier. (general, mass)   The dragon had fantastical powers. (strange, unreal, magical)   This is a historical moment. (worthy of being recorded in history)   The movie was hysterical. (very funny, causing uncontrollable laughter)   It was a magical experience. (mysterious, wonderful, exciting)   He wrote in a poetical manner. (having the form of poetry)   It was a political question. (concerning government and politics)

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