1. Corso Inglese Livello B1
Università degli Studi di Cagliari
Scienze Tossicologiche e Controllo di Qualità
Facoltà di Biologia e Farmacia
Corso Inglese Livello B1
Based on: Gerald Nelson, English an essential grammar, Routledge, 2011

2. Word formation

3. The structure of words
Many words in English have a recognizable internal structure. For example, the word unsuccessful can be broken down into the following three parts: un + success + ful Prefixes BASE suffix Prefixes and suffixes are added to existing words to create new words.

4. Prefixes
Prefixes are added to the beginning of a word to create a new word. They contribute specific types of meaning.
pre before1945.
Examples:
Anti (against, opposed to) anti-nuclear, anti-war
Dis (reverse of) disagreement, disapprove, dislike

5. Suffixes
Suffixes are added to the end of a word to create a new word. Certain suffixes are associated with certain word classes. For instance, the suffixes: -able is used for adjectives (reasonable, remarkable…) -ist is used for nouns (capitalist, specialist…) Some examples from the most common suffixes associated with the major word classes. 1. Noun suffixes: -dom freedom, kingdom -ee absentee, employee -er/-or actor, teacher -ism racism, terrorism -ist artist, cyclist

6. 2. Adjective suffixes: -al accidental, musical -ful hopeful, successful -less homeless, hopeless 3. Verb suffixes: -ate congratulate, populate -ify beautify, identify, - ise/-ize economize, modernize 4. Adverb suffixes: -ly carefully, slowly -wards afterwards, backwards

7. If you want to know more about this topic read this… other techniques to create new words

8. Compounding
Compounding involves combining two bases to create a new word. head + ache = headache. key + board = keyboard life + style = lifestyle news + paper = newspaper post + card = postcard

9. Blending is similar to compounding, but you use only one part of the already existing words to create a new word.
camcorder = cam (from camera) + corder (from recorder)
Other examples:
docudrama = documentary + drama
Eurovision = European + television
heliport = helicopter + airport
motel = motor + hotel
netiquette = Internet+ etiquette
smog = smoke + fog

10. Acronyms, abbreviations, and clipping
Acronyms are formed by combining the initial letters or syllables of two or more words. The combination is pronounced as a single word:
AIDS acquired immune deficiency syndrome
FAQ frequently asked questions
ROM read-only memory
scuba self-contained underwater breathing apparatus
Abbreviations are also formed from the initial letters of words, but unlike acronyms, they are spoken by spelling out each letter:
DVD digital video disk
IT information technology
WWW World Wide Web

11. The following abbreviations are now widely used in messages and in online discussion groups: AFK away from keyboard BTW by the way FWIW for what it’s worth FYI for your information IMHO in my humble opinion IMO in my opinion LOL laughing out loud

12. Clipping is a type of abbreviation in which one or more syllables are omitted or ‘clipped’ from a word. Most commonly, the beginning of the word is retained:
Ad (or advert) advertisement
Decaff (also decaf) decaffeinated coffee
demo demonstration
exam examination
lab laboratory
movie moving picture
photo photograph
pub public house
Clipping is a very common method of creating familiar personal names, including Fred (from Frederick), Tim (from Timothy) and Seb (from Sebastian).

13. Following the complete list of suffixes and prefixes for all the word classes…enjoy  A seguire la lista completa dei suffissi e dei prefissi per tutte le classi di parole…buon divertimento 

14. Prefixes
Prefixes are added to the beginning of a word to create a new word.
They contribute specific types of meaning.
pre before1945.
Anti- against, opposed to anti-depressant, anti-nuclear, anti-war,
De to reverse something decriminalise, de-activate, de-commission,
Dis- reverse of disagreement, disapprove, dislike, disqualify,
remove something disambiguate, disarm, disenfranchise, dislodge
Extra- beyond extraterrestrial, extra-curricular, extra-mural,
il-, im-, not illegal, illegible, illegitimate, impatient, impossible,
In-, ir inappropriate, intolerant,irregular, irrelevant,
Inter- between international, inter-racial, intergalactic,
Mis- to do something badly or incorrectly miscalculate, misconstrue, misunderstand
Non- not non-European, non-resident, non-stick,
Post- after post-1945, postgraduate, post-colonial, post- war
Pre- before pre-1914, pre-war, predetermined, pre-set
Pro- in favour of pro-life, pro-democracy, pro-Europe
Re- to do something again re-apply, re-design, re-introduce, repaint
Un- reverse of unclear, undemocratic, unnecessary, unusual,
remove something undress, unleash, unmask, unscrew

15. Suffixes
Suffixes are added to the end of a word to create a new word. Certain suffixes are associated with certain word classes. For instance, the suffix -able adjectives (reasonable, remarkable…) -ist nouns (capitalist, specialist…) The following are the most common suffixes associated with the major word classes. 1. Noun suffixes: -age blockage, drainage, postage, spillage -al betrayal, dismissal, recital, removal -ant claimant, contestant, inhabitant, informant -dom freedom, kingdom, martyrdom, officialdom -ee absentee, employee, refugee, trainee -er/-or actor, blender, defender, eraser, teacher -ism ageism, favouritism, racism, terrorism -ist artist, cyclist, motorist, perfectionist -ity opportunity, publicity, responsibility, severity -ment environment, equipment, government -ness coolness, dryness, smoothness, willingness -ship citizenship, hardship, relationship -tion demonstration, ignition, migration

16. 2. Adjective suffixes: -able profitable, reasonable, remarkable -al accidental, industrial, musical -ful grateful, hopeful, successful -ish childish, feverish, foolish, ghoulish -less careless, homeless, hopeless -like apelike, childlike, godlike, starlike -y cloudy, creepy, funny, rainy, sleepy 3. Verb suffixes: -ate congratulate, hyphenate, populate -en broaden, sadden, tighten, widen -ify amplify, beautify, clarify, identify, purify, -ise/-ize economize, modernize, popularize 4. Adverb suffixes: -ly brilliantly, carefully, slowly, smoothly, terribly -wards afterwards, backwards, onwards, upwards -wise anticlockwise, clockwise, health-wise