The knowledge and use of diminutives can be tested in 11+ exams
Diminutives create smaller or shortened things (nouns) in English grammar.
Examples:
1) Some diminutives are the actual names of things in their smaller state:
e.g. book/booklet, bus/minibus, skirt/miniskirt, drop/droplet, hill/hillock, kitchen/kitchenette
2) Names can be made into diminutives which are used in informal settings or to show affection:
e.g. Samantha/Sam, Jonathan/Jon, Elizabeth/Liz, Nicolas/Nick
3) There are many names of used for young animals which are diminutives too:
e.g. a foal is a young horse, a calf is a young cow, a gosling is a young goose, a chick is a young hen, a kitten is a young cat, a cub is a young box or beaver, a duckling is a young duck.
