Word Parts: Roots and Prefixes

Word Parts

Roots

• A root is the core of a word, carrying the main meaning
• Roots are often derived from Latin or Greek words
• Roots can be combined with prefixes and suffixes to form new words
• Examples of roots:
  • "tele-" means "far" or "distant" (e.g. telephone, television)
  • "graph-" means "write" or "draw" (e.g. graph, graphic)
  • "bio-" means "life" (e.g. biology, biography)

Prefixes

• A prefix is a word part attached to the beginning of a root or word
• Prefixes modify or change the meaning of the root or word
• Prefixes can indicate:
  • Negation (e.g. "un-" in unhappy)
  • Location (e.g. "sub-" in submarine)
  • Time (e.g. "pre-" in prehistoric)
  • Size (e.g. "mini-" in miniature)
• Examples of prefixes:
  • "re-" means "again" or "anew" (e.g. repeat, review)
  • "anti-" means "against" (e.g. antibiotic, anti-war)

Suffixes

• A suffix is a word part attached to the end of a root or word
• Suffixes modify or change the meaning of the root or word
• Suffixes can indicate:
  • Plural form (e.g. "-s" in cats)
  • Verb tense (e.g. "-ed" in walked)
  • Noun formation (e.g. "-ment" in government)
  • Adjective formation (e.g. "-ful" in hopeful)
• Examples of suffixes:
  • "-ity" forms a noun indicating a state or quality (e.g. reality, celebrity)
  • "-less" forms an adjective meaning "without" (e.g. hopeless, helpless)

Word Parts

Roots

• Carry the main meaning of a word
• Often derived from Latin or Greek words
• Can be combined with prefixes and suffixes to form new words
• Examples:
  • "tele-" means "far" or "distant" (e.g. telephone, television)
  • "graph-" means "write" or "draw" (e.g. graph, graphic)
  • "bio-" means "life" (e.g. biology, biography)

Prefixes

• Attached to the beginning of a root or word
• Modify or change the meaning of the root or word
• Can indicate:
  • Negation (e.g. "un-" in unhappy)
  • Location (e.g. "sub-" in submarine)
  • Time (e.g. "pre-" in prehistoric)
  • Size (e.g. "mini-" in miniature)
• Examples:
  • "re-" means "again" or "anew" (e.g. repeat, review)
  • "anti-" means "against" (e.g. antibiotic, anti-war)

Suffixes

• Attached to the end of a root or word
• Modify or change the meaning of the root or word
• Can indicate:
  • Plural form (e.g. "-s" in cats)
  • Verb tense (e.g. "-ed" in walked)
  • Noun formation (e.g. "-ment" in government)
  • Adjective formation (e.g. "-ful" in hopeful)
• Examples:
  • "-ity" forms a noun indicating a state or quality (e.g. reality, celebrity)
  • "-less" forms an adjective meaning "without" (e.g. hopeless, helpless)