ENGLISH GRAMMARWORD BUILDING
Do you know the difference between happy and unhappy, between behave and misbehave, between embark and disembark, between normal and abnormal, between circle and semi-circle?
You will recognize the difference more readily if you know the meanings of the little word or syllables (called prefixes) which are placed at the beginning of the second word in each pair.
Can you form a noun denoting the state of being good (goodness) or a verb from stiff (stiffen)? What is the diminutive of part (particle) and what is the adverb formed from brave (bravely)?
These nouns, verbs and adverbs are formed by the addition to the primary or simple words of certain endings (called suffixes)
AFFIX
An affix is a word attachment to a root or stem that gives a word a different meaning.
An affix literally "fixes" itself to a root word or stem word and changes its meaning. It may be attached to the beginning or the end of a root or stem word. When an affix is attached to the beginning of a word, it is called a prefix, and attached to the end of a word, it is called a suffix.
To make new words and to change the meaning of the root or stem word, some root or stem words may have both a prefix and a suffix or multiple prefixes and suffixes.
Prefixes and suffixes are not words and must be attached to a stem or root word to create a new word with a new meaning.
AFFIX
An affix is a word attachment to a root or stem that gives a word a different meaning.
An affix literally "fixes" itself to a root word or stem word and changes its meaning. It may be attached to the beginning or the end of a root or stem word. When an affix is attached to the beginning of a word, it is called a prefix, and attached to the end of a word, it is called a suffix.
To make new words and to change the meaning of the root or stem word, some root or stem words may have both a prefix and a suffix or multiple prefixes and suffixes.
Prefixes and suffixes are not words and must be attached to a stem or root word to create a new word with a new meaning.
Every prefix has a meaning:
the prefix 'un' means 'not'
the root word 'clear' means 'bright,' 'free from difficulty'
So un + clear = unclear, meaning 'not clear' or 'dim', 'difficult to see' or 'understand'
the prefix 'un' means 'not'
the root word 'clear' means 'bright,' 'free from difficulty'
So un + clear = unclear, meaning 'not clear' or 'dim', 'difficult to see' or 'understand'
Prefix - Where? In the beginning ("pre" - before)
"pre-" "sub-" "like-"
Examples: preview, unlike, substandard
Root or stem words: view, like, standard
Suffix - Where? At the end ("suf" - after/under)
"-ly" "-able" "-ness"
Examples: likely, workable, coldness
Root or stem words: like, work, cold
This word-building activity includes practising the most common suffixes and prefixes, both positive and negative. Tasks are suitable for pre-intermediate and intermediate students and can be used for individual, pair and classwork. The answer key is included.
"pre-" "sub-" "like-"
Examples: preview, unlike, substandard
Root or stem words: view, like, standard
Suffix - Where? At the end ("suf" - after/under)
"-ly" "-able" "-ness"
Examples: likely, workable, coldness
Root or stem words: like, work, cold
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This word-building activity includes practising the most common suffixes and prefixes, both positive and negative. Tasks are suitable for pre-intermediate and intermediate students and can be used for individual, pair and classwork. The answer key is included.
CLICK HERE for downloading the *.docx file.
CLICK HERE for downloading the *.pdf file.
Adapted from https://steemit.com/steemiteducation/@frieda/english-grammar-word-building, and from https://busyteacher.org/25843-word-building.html. Accessed on March 15, 2021.
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