MORPHOLOGY CONVERSION

Conversion

w  Conversion: this process is also known as zero-derivation. This process changes the part of speech and meaning of an existing root without producing any change in pronunciation or spelling and without adding any affix.

w  Process where by an item is adopted or converted to a new word class without the addition of an affix.

Conversion to noun:
            de- verbal:                            'state'                                    love, want, desire
                                                            'event/activity'                  laugh, fall, search
                                                            'object of V'                         answer, find

            De-adjectival: there is no very productive pattern of adjective-noun conversion. Examples:
                                                I'd like two pints of bitter [=type of beer].
                                                They're running in the final [=final race].
                                               

Conversion to verb:
            De- nominal:                       'to put in/on N'                 bottle, garage
                                                'to give N', 'to provide with N' coat, mask, oil, plaster
                                                'to send/go by N'               mail, telegraph, bicycle, boat

            De-adjectival:           (transitive verbs) 'to make adj'
                                                                           or 'to make more adj' calm, dry, dirty
                                                (intransitive verbs) 'to become adj' empty, narrow, yellow
Conversion to adjective:
            De- nominal:                        a brick garage                      ~ the garage is brick
                                    reproduction furniture       ~ this furniture is reproduction

Types of Conversion

w  From Verb to Noun

to attack à attack

to hope à hope

to cover à cover

w  From Noun to Verb

comb à to comb

sand à to sand

party à to party

w  From Name to Verb

Harpo  à to Harpo

Houdini à to Houdini

w  From Adjective to Verb

dirty  à to dirty

slow  à to slow

w  From Preposition to Verb

out  à to out

In some cases, conversion is accompanied by a change in the stress pattern known as stress shift.

transpórt (V) à tránsport (N)

rewríte (V) à réwrite (N) 

condúct (V) à cónduct (N) 

subjéct (V) à súbject (N)

Examples

I need someone to come to the blackboard.

Is there a volunteer?

Someone has to volunteer.

Otherwise, I will volunteer someone.