Why does "useless" have more letters than "useful"?
2007-07-16 08:12:57 · 3 answers · asked by Npth 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
use in each has the same number of letters in it. The double "s" is in the less part. The root of the two words is the same. This, of course doesn't explain the strangeness of the English language where rules seem to be made differently at different times for different words. Thus, less retains two s's when combined, but full loses an "l". If your write them out each way, the way that is incorrect doesn't look right.
useles usefull
But that could simply be a matter of how they are used normally.
2007-07-16 08:25:46 · answer #1 · answered by fangtaiyang 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry, but I'm feeling picky--"useless" actually contains 3 "s" letters.
Although, I know, you're just making an observation about suffixes.
2007-07-16 09:59:21 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because of English grammar laws that define suffixes.
2007-07-16 08:17:55 · answer #3 · answered by dissimulat3d 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋