Root+Words+(Prefixes,+Suffixes,+and+Bases)

A ** prefix ** is a word part with a specific meaning at the beginning of a word. A ** suffix ** is a word part with a specific meaning at the end of a word. A ** base ** is the main part of a word that contains its core meaning. Sometimes it is a word on its own, as in // unbelievable // ( // believe // is the root word), and sometimes it cannot stand alone, as in // relocation // ( // loc // is the root word). In either case, prefixes and suffixes can be added to root words, which might change either the meaning of the word (// reactivate //, // deactivate // ) or its grammatical function ( // transports // = present tense, transported = past tense, transportation = noun). Sometimes spelling changes when suffixes are added to root words ( noise, noisy). Learning ** root words, **** prefixes, ** and ** suffixes ** can help you because: • If you recognize these word parts, it is easier to figure out what a word you don’t know means. • They can help you to spell words because you’ll remember patterns.

(Retrieved from original source [] on September 29, 2010)