Word Structure 1

Susan Ebbers Basic Terms root form: a word with no prefix or suffix added; may also be referred to as a base word inspector, thermal affix: meaningful part of a word attached before or after a root or base word to modify its meaning prefix: an affix which is placed before the stem of a word re-, un-, dis- suffix: an affix which is placed after the stem of a word - able, -ive, -ly derivation-a word formed from an existing word, root, or affix: electric, electricity

20 Most Frequent Prefixes in School Texts 1. unable 2. review inedible (impotent, illegal, irresponsible) distrust enlighten (empower) nonsense inside, implant overcome misguidedsubmarineprefixinterruptforewarn derailtransfersupersonicsemicircleantitrust midtermunderfed Analysis: White, Sowell, and Yanagihara 1989 Susan Ebbers 20053

Prefixes: Meaning and Connotation Often Negative dis-, de- non-sub- in-un-mis- mal- anti, contra a- Somewhat Positive pro-co-bene- super-com-be- en-, em- ad- Susan Ebbers 20054

Derivational Suffixes Derivational suffixes change the part of speech words ending with –tion are often nouns words ending with –ive are often adjectives words ending with –ish are often adjectives words ending with –ity are often nouns What about -ment, -ous, -ness? Susan Ebbers 20055

6 Greek Combining Forms hydrographgeo pyropolisneuro orthoscopephoto thermcratpsych chronphobepseud onymcrypthelio logyspherethe, theo

Susan Ebbers Counting in Greek and Latin monounidi bidu, duotri tetraquadripenta hexaseptoct novedecadeci centmillipoly multisemihemi