Hi, there

Let's say I'm writing or talking about grammar Should I use the suffix “-y” or “-like” in these sentences? Which would sound better?

"This feature is responsible for giving these words their verb-y/verb-like nature".

"Language sounds can be placed in a continuum from the really vowel-y/vowel-like vowels, like “a”, to the really consonant-y/consonant-like consonants, like “p”.

"Nouns can also be placed in a continuum. There are nouns that are more noun-y/noun-like, and others that are less so.”

Thank you very much!

Question

Hi, there

Let's say I'm writing or talking  about grammar Should I use the suffix “-y” or “-like” in these sentences? Which would sound better?

"This feature is responsible for giving these words their verb-y/verb-like nature".

"Language sounds can be placed in a continuum from the really vowel-y/vowel-like vowels, like “a”, to the really consonant-y/consonant-like consonants, like “p”.

"Nouns can also be placed in a continuum. There are nouns that are more noun-y/noun-like, and others that are less so.”

Thank you very much!

Answer

You would use - like in each case

Answer

Like Tonya said, use "are more noun-like".

You could also say "have the nature of a noun".

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