What base word forms the occupation Actor/Actress when combined with 'agent'?

What base word forms the occupation Actor/Actress when combined with 'agent'?

• A. Act
• B. Acting
• C. Actor
• D. Performance

Answer: (A)

Act is the base form. In English, many occupations are formed by taking a base verb and adding a suffix that means “the person who does.” The base act, when given the agent sense with the suffix -or, becomes the person who performs that action: an actor. The feminine form is actress, which fits the occupation pair Actor/Actress. Acting refers to the act or process itself, not the person; actor is the person who performs, and performance is what is produced. So the base word that forms the occupation with an agent sense is act.

Act is the base form. In English, many occupations are formed by taking a base verb and adding a suffix that means “the person who does.” The base act, when given the agent sense with the suffix -or, becomes the person who performs that action: an actor. The feminine form is actress, which fits the occupation pair Actor/Actress. Acting refers to the act or process itself, not the person; actor is the person who performs, and performance is what is produced. So the base word that forms the occupation with an agent sense is act.