Chapter 2:
Analyze Word Structure
The Skill:
Analyze Word Structure
•
Word structure analysis means using the structure
(parts)of a word to figure out the word’s meaning.
•
The three types of word parts are prefixes, roots,
and suffixes.
•
Like puzzle pieces, you can fit them together to get
the overall “picture” (meaning).
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Chapter 2: Analyze Word Structure
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Prefixes
•
Prefixes are word parts that are added to the
beginning of a base (root) word.
•
They add their meaning to the meaning of the base
word. Example: prefix pre- (before) + fix (attach) =
a word part that is attached before the root word
•
Prefixes can mean not, can indicate location or
spatial relationships, number or amount, or have
other meanings.
© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
Chapter 2: Analyze Word Structure
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Roots
•
Roots are base words to which other word parts (prefixes and
suffixes) are added.
•
Each root has a specific meaning meaning.
Examples:
aud = to hear audible (can be heard)
auditory (pertaining to hearing)
•
Knowing common roots can be the key to understanding
entire “families” of related words. These groups of related
words are called cognates.
•
Common roots: bio, mis, dict, and spect.
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Chapter 2: Analyze Word Structure
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Suffixes
•
Suffixes are word parts that are added at the end of a base
word.
•
Some suffixes have a specific meaning; others change the root
word’s part of speech.
Examples: joyful = full of joy
calmness (noun), calmer (adjective), calmly (adverb)
•
Common suffixes: -y, -ness, -ion, -er, -al, -able, and -ly.
•
Suffixes are not as helpful as other word parts.
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Chapter 2: Analyze Word Structure
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Memory Peg
Prefixes come first, like the dinosaur’s head.
The root is like the body.
Suffixes, like the tail, come at the end.
prefix
suffix
root
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Chapter 2: Analyze Word Structure
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The Technique
Use prefixes, roots, and suffixes to unlock word meanings.
Question to ask yourself:
“What clues do the parts of
this word give me about the
meaning of the word?”
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Chapter 2: Analyze Word Structure
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A word can consist of
• a root only (scribe)
• a prefix and a root (prescribe)
• a prefix + root + suffix (prescription)
• a root and a suffix (scripted)
© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
Chapter 2: Analyze Word Structure
Scribe, script =
to write
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The Edge: Pointers
• Use word structure clues to confirm guesses based
on context clues.
• Read the etymology at the end of a dictionary
definition: It tells the word parts.
• Word structure analysis is especially helpful for
scientific and technical words; it doesn’t work for
every word, though.
• Prefixes and suffixes are usually separate syllables.
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Chapter 2: Analyze Word Structure
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