زبانشناسی و زبانLinguistics and Language

Word Elements: Prefixes, Roots and Suffixes

A Prefix is a group of letters that attaches to the beginning of a word root and changes its meaning.

A Root is the central or main portion of a word and it carries the basic meaning.

A Suffix is a group of letters that attaches to the end of a word root.

  Ex: impolitely → the prefix im- means "not"

  Prefix co- means "together": co + exist = coexist (exist together)

                                                Co + operate = cooperate (to work or operate together)

Context: Words that come before or after a word, phrase or statement, and help you understand its meaning.

- The use of word elements is an excellent way to increase your vocabulary. Prefixes, roots and suffixes can help you unlock the meaning of thousands of difficult words. Together word elements and context clues will give you very powerful strategies for learning new words in your own.

Roots→ 2 kinds:

1- Base word: is simply an English word that can stand alone.  eg→ polite, operate

2- Combining root: they can not stand alone and they are derived from words in other languages.

    eg→ ject  is derived from the Latin word jacere : to throw

    Eject = e (meaning out ) + ject ( meaning throw )

    Reject = re (meaning back ) + ject ( meaning throw )

  - Sometimes, the new words meaning is simply the sum of its root and prefix. eg→ eject

  - Other times, the meaning of a word may be different from the combined prefix and root.

 eg→ reject = * to throw back, = not to accept

However these two meanings are related. To throw back gives an imaginative picture of reject.

- Prefixes and suffixes give an image of a word rather than a precise definition.This image can help you remember the meaning of a word.

 Suffixes: 1- Most suffixes change one part of speech to another.→ reach + able = reachable

                 2- Some suffixes indicate a plural or past tense. → boys, reached, plays

                 3- A few suffixes extend the basic meaning of a root. →   psycho + logy = psychology

Word elements provide valuable clues to the meaning of unknown words, but they should used carefully. Eg. a. The antihero is a villain.

                                b. we anticipate you will come.