Understanding Suffixes and Adjective Formation

The question asks us to identify the suffix that correctly forms an adjective from the word 'fog'. Adjectives are words that describe nouns. Suffixes are added to the end of a word to change its meaning or function, often transforming a noun into an adjective.

Analyzing the Suffix Options for 'Fog'

Let's examine each of the provided suffix options when added to the noun 'fog':

• (a) -ish: This suffix is often used to form adjectives that mean 'like', 'resembling', or having the characteristics of the base word. For example, adding '-ish' to 'child' gives 'childish'. Adding '-ish' to 'fog' can form the word 'foggish', which means resembling or characteristic of fog. While less common than 'foggy', 'foggish' is a valid adjective.
• (b) -gy: This suffix is commonly used to form adjectives from nouns, often indicating a state or quality related to the noun. For instance, 'mist' becomes 'misty', 'ice' becomes 'icy', and 'hug' becomes 'huggy'. Adding '-gy' to 'fog' forms 'foggy', which is the most widely used adjective meaning full of or covered with fog.
• (c) -ous: This suffix typically forms adjectives meaning 'full of', 'having', or 'characterized by'. Examples include 'danger' to 'dangerous' and 'joy' to 'joyous'. Adding '-ous' to 'fog' does not form a standard English word ('fogous').
• (d) -ic: This suffix often forms adjectives relating to or characteristic of something. For instance, 'history' becomes 'historic', and 'atom' becomes 'atomic'. Adding '-ic' to 'fog' does not form a standard English word ('foggic').

Determining the Correct Suffix

Based on common English usage, the adjective most frequently associated with 'fog' is 'foggy', formed using the '-gy' suffix. However, the word 'foggish' is also an existing adjective derived from 'fog', formed using the '-ish' suffix. Considering the options provided, and focusing on which suffix can correctly form an adjective from 'fog' among the given choices, '-ish' is a valid possibility.

Therefore, among the presented options, the suffix '-ish' correctly forms the adjective 'foggish'.