Ate to Ation

Here is a useful rule for you to remember. Many verbs that end in ate can be changed to nouns by taking away the ate and adding ation. For example, associate becomes association.

To get you familiar with this pattern, try the following quiz. In each sentence, do you need the verb or noun form of the word? Good luck and let us know how you get on.

• 1. ___ is incredibly important to the development of our nations.
  
  educate
  education
  
  
• 2. They are going to ___ on my leg next Thursday.
  
  operate
  operation
  
  
• 3. Please ___ on the task at hand and stop looking out the window!
  
  concentration
  concentrate
  
  
• 4. It is important not to ___, even if someone is being really horrible to you.
  
  retaliate
  retaliation
  
  
• 5. The ___ in the back of the yearbook is really beautiful.
  
  dedication
  dedicate
  
  
• 6. The ___ of the annual garden party is top secret.
  
  locate
  location
  
  
• 7. This year London ___ the Olympic spirit.
  
  celebration
  celebrated
  
  
• 8. Please make a ___ to help the children in Africa.
  
  donation
  donate