2.7.- Word Formation.

In English, as in many other languages including Spanish, we use suffixes to form other words. Suffixes change word class, e.g. from verb to noun or noun to adjective but sometimes thy can also change meaning. Profession names are often formed by adding a suffix to a verb or a noun.

The most important suffixes for profession names are the following:

• -er : singer, manager, dancer, baker, bus driver, swimmer, writer, engineer, gardener, cleaner, photographer, programmer, shoemaker, farmer, waiter, teacher...
• -ess : waitress, actress... This suffix is the feminine of -er.
• -or : actor, sculptor, director, sailor, tailor, operator...
• - ist : violinist, pianist, cyclist, typist, receptionist, economist, dentist, scientist, journalist, psychologist...
• -cian : electrician, politician, technician, musician, beautician...
• -man, -woman : fireman, policewoman, fisherman, camerawoman, postman, businessman, dustman, saleswoman...
• - ant : accountant, civil servant, flight attendant...
• -ee: trustee, trainee...
• -ive : executive, sales representative...

To avoid gender issues nowadays it is very common to use words which are not gender marked as chairperson, salesperson, police officer, firefighter ... And actress and waitress have almost disappeared in favour of actor and waiter for both men and women.

Other profession names, as in Spanish, do not come from a verb or noun, but they are a different, independent noun:
secretary, coach, doctor, surgeon, nurse, chef, mechanic, clown, architect, veterinary, cook...