Understanding Root Words, Prefixes & Suffixes
Root words, prefixes, and suffixes are the building blocks of language, known as morphemes, that shape word meanings and expand your vocabulary by revealing how words are formed. A root like "spect" (to look) forms "inspect" with the prefix "in-" (into) and "spectator" with the suffix "-or" (one who). Recognizing these parts helps you decode unfamiliar words, making vocabulary growth easier and more intuitive through pattern recognition.
Components of Root Words, Prefixes & Suffixes
These morphemes work together to create and modify word meanings. Here’s the breakdown:
- Root Words: The core meaning of a word, like "graph" meaning to write.
- Prefixes: Added to the beginning of a root to alter its meaning, like "un-" reversing a word.
- Suffixes: Added to the end of a root to change its form or meaning, like "-ful" meaning full of.
- Word Formation: Combining morphemes to build new words, such as "disagreeable" from "dis-" + "agree" + "-able."
Lists of Root Words, Prefixes & Suffixes with Examples
Root Words Examples
- Aud (hear): audience, audible
- Dict (speak): predict, dictionary
- Port (carry): transport, portable
- Scrib (write): describe, script
Prefixes Examples
- Un- (not): unhappy, undo
- Re- (again): rewrite, return
- Mis- (wrong): mistake, misunderstand
- Pre- (before): preview, preheat
Suffixes Examples
- -Ness (state of): kindness, happiness
- -Ly (manner): quickly, softly
- -Able (capable of): readable, enjoyable
- -Ment (result): movement, agreement
Word Formation Examples
- Disagreeable: dis- (not) + agree + -able (capable of) = not capable of agreeing
- Transportation: trans- (across) + port (carry) + -ation (action) = act of carrying across
- Unhappiness: un- (not) + happy + -ness (state) = state of not being happy
- Predictable: pre- (before) + dict (speak) + -able (capable of) = capable of being spoken before
Examples of Root Words, Prefixes & Suffixes in Use
These moments show how morphemes help in everyday vocabulary:
- Core Meaning: Recognizing "aud" in "audible" means it relates to hearing.
- Reversal Clue: Inferring "undo" means to reverse an action with "un-."
- Descriptive Addition: Understanding "joyful" as full of joy due to "-ful."
- Combined Parts: Decoding "misunderstanding" as a wrong understanding from "mis-" + "understand" + "-ing."
- New Word: Building "reporter" from "re-" + "port" + "-er" to mean one who carries back news.