Understanding Prefixes, Roots, and Suffixes in English Vocabulary

Prefixes – Roots – Suffixes – Base Words

Prefixes – Roots - Suffixes • Most words used in the English language today were not originally English. • These words were borrowed (taken) from other languages. The majority of English words have Latin or Greek origins. • It is helpful to know some of these origins or "roots" of English vocabulary. • It may be possible to guess the meaning of an unknown word when one knows the meaning of its root. • Knowing prefixes and suffixes can also assist in the process.

Prefixes – Roots –Base Words - Suffixes • Most words are made up of various combinations of the following word parts: prefix, suffix, base word, and root. • Therefore, one way to determine a word’s meaning is to break down the word into its parts and figure out the meaning of each part. • http://www.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=126398&title=Prefixes__Suffixes__and_Roots_Rap (Words Have Power)

Base Words • A base word is a complete word that can stand alone. • However, other words or word parts may be added to base words to form new words. • Pre+pay = prepay

Roots • The root is the part of the word that contains the basic meaning (definition) of the word. • The root is the base element of the word. A root can’t stand alone as a word.

Prefixes • A prefix is a word element that is placed in front of a root or base word. A prefix changes the word's meaning or makes a new word.

Prefixes – Roots - Suffixes • http://youtu.be/9EU4DtsJBY0

Suffix • A suffix is a word element that is placed after the root or base word. • The suffix changes the word's meaning as well as its function (use).

Prefixes – Roots - Suffixes • Prefixes and suffixes are called affixes because they are attached to a root.

Prefixes – Roots - Suffixes • Explore: • http://youtu.be/ZOJrjNR7ZZM • http://www2.southampton.liu.edu/academic/pau/course/webesl.htm • http://www2.southampton.liu.edu/academic/pau/course/webex1.htm

THE 20 MOST COMMON PREFIXES • These 20 prefixes account for 97 percent of occurrences. • All other prefixes accounted for only 3% of the words.

Rank Prefix Meaning % Example 1 un not, opposite of 26 unhappy

Rank Prefix Meaning % Example 2 reagain, back 14 return

Rank Prefix Meaning % Example 3 in, im, ir, ill not, opposite of 11 indirect

Rank Prefix Meaning % Example 4 disnot, opposite of 7 discover

Rank Prefix Meaning % Example 5 en, em cause to 4 enjoy

Rank Prefix Meaning % Example 6 nonnot, opposite of 4 nonfiction

Rank Prefix Meaning % Example 7 in, im in or into 4 inside

Rank Prefix Meaning % Example 8 overtoo much, above 3 overgrown

Rank Prefix Meaning % Example 9 miswrongly 3 mistake

Rank Prefix Meaning % Example 10 subunder, lower 3 submarine

Prefix Rap • http://youtu.be/mRdMYuNeAng

Rank Prefix Meaning % Example 11 prebefore 3 prepared

Rank Prefix Meaning % Example 12 interbetween, among 3 international

Rank Prefix Meaning % Example 13 forebefore 3 foresee

Rank Prefix Meaning % Example 14 deopposite of, down 2 descent

Rank Prefix Meaning % Example 15 trans across 2 transport

Rank Prefix Meaning % Example 16 superabove, beyond 1 supermarket

Rank Prefix Meaning % Example 17 semihalf 1 semicircle

Rank Prefix Meaning % Example 18 antiagainst 1 antisocial

Rank Prefix Meaning % Example 19 midmiddle 1 midsemester

Rank Prefix Meaning % Example 20 undertoo little, below 1 underfed

THE 20 MOST COMMON SUFFIXES • These 20 suffixes account for 93 percent of occurrences. • All other suffixes accounted for only 7% of the words. • http://youtu.be/pYdIjc85tRc

Rank Suffix Meaning % Example 1 s, esplurals 31 boys

Rank Suffix Meaning % Example 2 edpast-tense verbs 20 wanted

Rank Suffix Meaning % Example 3 ingverb form/present participle 14 playing A Present Participle is used with the verb 'To Be' to indicate an action that is incomplete:Eg: I am reading / I was reading

Rank Suffix Meaning % Example 4 lycharacteristic of 7 friendly

Rank Suffix Meaning % Example 5 er, or person connected with 4 teacher

Rank Suffix Meaning % Example 6 ion, tion, ation, itionact, process 4 action

Rank Suffix Meaning % Example 7 ible, able can be done 2 likeable

Rank Suffix Meaning % Example • aI, iaIhaving characteristics of 1 final

Rank Suffix Meaning % Example 9 y characterized by 1 funny

Rank Suffix Meaning % Example 10 nessstate of, condition of 1 happiness

Rank Suffix Meaning % Example 11 ity, tystate of 1 activity

Rank Suffix Meaning % Example 12 mentaction or process 1 enjoyment

Rank Suffix Meaning % Example 13 ichaving characteristics of 1 comic

Rank Suffix Meaning % Example 14 ous, eous, iouspossessing the qualities of 1 serious

Rank Suffix Meaning % Example 15 en made of 1 enliven

Rank Suffix Meaning % Example 16 ercomparative 1 bigger

Rank Suffix Meaning % Example 17 ive, ative, itiveadjective form of a noun 1 attentive

Understanding Prefixes, Roots, and Suffixes in English Vocabulary