We add the suffixes -ant and -ent to verbs to change them into nouns of agency and adjectives. A noun of agency refers to a noun that does an action. It can be a person or a thing.
Study – student
Serve – servant
Repel – Repellent
Pollute – Pollutant
Both suffixes are pronounced the same, as ‘uh’, using the schwa sound.
Verbs to Nouns of Agency
A noun of agency indicates the person who, or the object that does the action.
VERB
assist
disinfect (ct + -ant)
consult (lt + -ant)
migrate (Silent e to -ant)
deviate
serve
determine
occupy (-y sound to -ant)
color (or + ant)
study (-y E sound to -ent)
preside (Silent E exception)
reside (Silent E exception)
adhere (-ere to -ent)
refer (-er to -ent)
-ANT
assistant
disinfectant
consultant
migrant
deviant
servant
determinant
occupant
colourant
–
–
–
–
–
-ENT
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
student
president
resident
adherent
referent
Verbs to Adjectives
VERB
tolerate (-ate to -ant)
vacate (silent e to -ant)
stagnate
observe
ignore (or + -ant)
abhor (exception)
rely (-y sound to -ant)
comply
expect (ct + -ant)
persist
urge (-ge to -ent)
reminisce (-ce to -ent)
revere (-ere to -ent)
differ (-er + -ent)
excel
-ANT
tolerant
vacant
stagnant
observant
ignorant
–
reliant
compliant
expectant
–
–
–
–
–
–
-ENT
–
–
–
–
–
abhorrent
–
–
–
persistent
urgent
reminiscent
reverent
different
excellent
A note about spelling
As any English student knows, English spelling is nuts. In this case, both suffixes are derived from Latin, but the -ant is from Latin nouns, and the -end from verbs. I have included some general rules in brackets beside the verbs to use as guides for when to spell the word with -ant and when to use -ent. However, there are so many exceptions that the rules aren’t very helpful. The best way to learn the spelling is to read, read, read and gain familiarity by seeing the words.
On that note…
1.) There is a weird word we should look at.
Notice that we can change the verb confide into a noun or an adjective.
A confidant (a: as in arm) is a person you confide in. To be confident (schwa) is to be sure of yourself.
2.) Let’s do a quiz, so you can deepen your understanding of how we use the suffixes to transform verbs.
Suffixes -ant and -ent Arguments Quiz
Further Reading
The Free Dictionary – Learn more about the spelling rules.