2.2 Root words, affixes, and compounds

Words are the building blocks of language. Understanding their structure and formation is key to mastering English. This topic breaks down how words are built, from basic roots to complex combinations with affixes.

Knowing how words are formed helps us decode unfamiliar terms and create new ones. We'll explore the difference between inflectional and derivational affixes, and how to analyze complex words by breaking them down into their components.

Word Formation and Structure

Root words and affixes

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• Root words form basic units of meaning stand alone as complete words (read, write, speak)
• Affixes modify meaning or function added to roots
  • Prefixes attached to beginning of word alter meaning (un-, pre-, re-)
  • Suffixes attached to end of word change function (-er, -tion, -able)

Inflectional vs derivational affixes

• Inflectional affixes preserve part of speech modify grammatical properties (cats, walked, taller)
• Derivational affixes can change word class alter core meaning (teacher, happiness, illegalize)

Meaning through word structure

• Decode unfamiliar words by identifying root recognizing affixes combining meanings
• Analyze words breaking down components (unbreakable, multilingual)
• Use context clues from surrounding text support meaning predictions

Creation of new words

• Form words through affixation (unfriendly) and compounding (sunflower)
• Maintain grammatical consistency consider semantic logic when creating
• Combine roots and affixes to generate new terms (recycle, quicken, bookworm)

Analysis of complex words

• Identify core root recognize affixes determine if compound
• Break down structure of multifaceted words (uncomfortable, misunderstanding)
• Study etymology aid in recognizing patterns across related words