-ish and -wise

Question

hi!!! 1)how can you use -wise as in otherwise?? (can you say healthwise  etc.) 2) is "- ish" as in "pinkish"(=pink like) formal?? thanks  cheers!!

Maverick88 · Accepted Answer

Hi Rom88

1) I don't think 'healthwise' is poosible. I'd rather say 'healthy'.
You can say anywise, clockwise\anticlockwise\counterclockwise,lengthwise,likewise,etc...

2) I guess so. But it doesn't seem to be overly slangy.

CalifJim · Answer

Except for those words in -wise which have been in existence for a long time (likewise, otherwise, etc.), these sound somewhat "made up" at best and absurd at worst.

"Student-wise, the school is overpopulated" (?!!)
"The candidate for the position was completely acceptable qualification-wise." (?!!)
"Heathwise, I'm feeling better today." (?!!)

The suffix -ish is neither particularly formal nor informal. It is found in all registers of the language, including everyday conversation.

CJ

Paco2004 · Answer

The suffix '-wise' came from an obsolete noun 'wise' meaning 'manner', 'way', 'style', 'fashion' [current 'wit' is related to this 'wise']. The suffix attaches to nouns/adjectives and makes them into adverbs.
noun -> adverb : stepwise, clockwise adjective -> adverb : likewise, otherwise

On the other hand the suffix '-ish' is used this way. When X is a noun in Xish, X-ish is an adjective meaning 'belonging to X in nature or in quality'. (EX) boyish, girlish, foolish, British, Tony Blairish. When X is an adjective, X-ish is an adjective meaning 'near to X'. (EX) pinkish, yellowish, oldish, poorish, earlyish, latish.

Likely people don't use 'healthwise' because they have an adjective 'healthy' and an adverb 'healthily'

paco

-ish and -wise

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