Prefix/Suffix/Root Words
Root Words – are the base words (words that mean something by itself) ex: run (to run); a word that
can be used to describe or identify something.
If we have a prefix or suffix we have to have a root or base word to which prefixes and suffixes are
attached.
Prefix – found at the beginning of the word – does NOT change the classification of the word
(part of speech)
Three most common prefixes:
Re – again
rerun – run again
Un – not
unusual – not usual
In – in or not
inappropriate – not appropriate
Suffixes – added to the end of the root word often changes the classification of the word
Three most common suffixes:
s/es – makes the root word plural
ed - shows tense
ing - turns the word into a gerund
ly – means ‘like’ – words with ly on the end are usually adverbs – kindly – like kind
able/ible – turns verbs to adjectives – means can do – edible (can be eaten)
tion/sion – act or state of something – considering (the act of considering)
always a noun – can be added to a verb, adjective or noun
less – these words are adjectives – means without – clueless (without a clue)
er,or,ar,ist – are typically added to verbs – means one who does - *always a noun
orthodontist – one who straightens, teacher – one who teaches
ant,ent – turns a word to a noun or adjective – indicates one who is doing
descendant (noun)
independent (adjective)
age – forms a noun – act of – collects – storage – the act of storing something
foliage
salvage
collage
al – relates to – turns a verb or noun to an adjective – uni/later/al – relating to one side
natural – relates to nature
managerial – relates to management
verbal – relates to verbs, speaking
visual – relates to vision
ance, ence – action or result of a verb – presence – being present
ery/y – action or instance of the verb or place of the verb – firey – a fire is
ment – action or instance of the verb – advertisement – the action of advertise
Cause or makes
- ise – merchand + ise – merchandise – makes merchandise
- ize – standard + ize – make standard; civil + ize – make civil
- fy - ident + fy – causes identity; humid + fy – make humid
- ate – convers + ate – conversate – causes talking
- cy – expectan + cy – the act of expecting
***suffixes added to a verb, noun, or adjective = noun
- tion
- sion
- er
- ment
- ant
- ent
- age
- al
- ence
- ance
- ery/y
***suffixes added to a noun
- er
- -ism
- ship
- age
***suffixes added to an adjective
- ity
- ness
- cy
***suffixes added to verbs or nouns = adjectives
- al
- ent
- ive
- ous
- ful
- less
- able