How do you differentiate a noun derivative from an adjective derivative?

Answer 1

Noun Derivative - a verb that becomes a noun by adding a suffix or suffixes at the end of the word.

Adjective Derivative - a noun or verb that becomes an adjective by adding a suffix or suffixes at the end of the word.

(sometimes nouns and verbs, or nouns and adjectives, have the same spelling)

Verb occur --> noun occurrence (noun derivative)

Verb depend --> noun dependence (noun derivative) or noun dependent

Verb depend --> adjective dependent (adjective derivative)

Verb react --> adjective reactive (adjective derivative)

Answer 2

A noun derivative modifies or describes a noun, while an adjective derivative modifies or describes a noun. For example, in the word "developmental psychology," "developmental" is the adjective derivative describing the noun "psychology." In the word "decision-making process," "decision" is the noun derivative modifying the noun "process."