Affixes

Key Vocabulary:

• Root: A simple word, before affixes (prefixes or suffixes) are added to it. Root words are the basis of our entire word study and a major word part.

• Affix: A prefix or suffix that comes before or after a root word respectively.

  • Prefix: An affix that comes before the root word.

  • Suffix: An affix that comes after the root word.

Key Points:

Word structures can include:

• Root + Root

• Prefix + Root

• Root + Suffix

• A combination of these (even Prefix + Root + Suffix words)

Why do we need to know this skill? 

Throughout your career, you will need to be able to define difficult words. Understanding root words and affixes will greatly help you. 

Let’s take a look at the types of questions you may see on your exam! In the next couple of lessons, we will take a look at some examples of these types of questions in action.

Question Type 1: What is the meaning of the word ______?
Question Type 2: What is the meaning of the underlined word in the sentence?
Question Type 3: What word meaning “_____” best fits in the sentence? 
Question Type 4: Which word has a similar meaning to the word _______?

Here are a few examples of words with roots, prefixes, and suffixes for you to take a look at before we dive further into this skill. I have also included the meaning of each example word! You might want to pause here and start taking notes.

Here’s a quick reminder for you!

Word structures can include:

• Root + Root 

• Prefix + Root

• Root + Suffix 

• A combination of these (even Prefix + Root + Suffix words)

Common Affixes