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    Kalai Shan
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    Adding affixes such as prefixes and suffixes to base words is common in academic English and helps form new words. Prefixes are typically added to the front of base words while suffixes are added to the end. While prefixes usually do not change the class of the base word, suffixes often do. Common affixes used to form new verbs, nouns, and adjectives are discussed along with their meanings. Formal written English tends to use more nouns formed from verbs through processes like nominalization.

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    Adding affixes such as prefixes and suffixes to base words is common in academic English and helps form new words. Prefixes are typically added to the front of base words while suffixes are added to the end. While prefixes usually do not change the class of the base word, suffixes often do. Common affixes used to form new verbs, nouns, and adjectives are discussed along with their meanings. Formal written English tends to use more nouns formed from verbs through processes like nominalization.

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    2K views8 pages

    Affixes and Root Notes

    Uploaded by

    Kalai Shan
    Adding affixes such as prefixes and suffixes to base words is common in academic English and helps form new words. Prefixes are typically added to the front of base words while suffixes are added to the end. While prefixes usually do not change the class of the base word, suffixes often do. Common affixes used to form new verbs, nouns, and adjectives are discussed along with their meanings. Formal written English tends to use more nouns formed from verbs through processes like nominalization.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    of 8

    Affixes and roots

    Adding affixes to existing words (the base or root) to form new words is common in academic English. Prefixes are added to the front of the base (like dislike), whereas suffixes are added to the end of the base (active activate). Prefixes usually do not change the class of the base word, but suffixes usually do change the class of the word. The most common prefixes used to form new verbs in academic English are: re-, dis-, over-, un-, mis-, out-. The most common suffixes are: -ise, en, -ate, -(i)fy. By far the most common affix in academic English is -ise.

    Verbs
    e.g. prefix + verb
    Prefix re-

    verb
    Examples

    Meaning again or back reverses the meaning of the verb too much reverses the meaning of the verb badly or wrongly more or better than others make or cause together do the opposite of earlier, before between

    restructure, revisit, reappear, rebuild, refinance disappear, disallow, disarm, disconnect, discontinue overbook, oversleep, overwork unbend, uncouple, unfasten mislead, misinform, misidentify outperform, outbid befriend, belittle co-exist, co-operate, co-own devalue, deselect foreclose, foresee interact, intermix, interface

    disoverunmisoutbecodeforeinter-

    presubtrans-

    before under/below across, over

    pre-expose, prejudge, pretest subcontract, subdivide transform, transcribe, transplant underfund, undersell, undervalue, underdevelop

    under- not enough

    Exercise

    ^
    e.g. Suffix used to form verbs with the meaning "cause to be".
    Suffix -ise -ate -fy -en Example

    stabilise, characterise, symbolise, visualise, specialise differentiate, liquidate, pollinate, duplicate, fabricate classify, exemplify, simplify, justify awaken, fasten, shorten, moisten

    Exercise

    ^
    Nouns
    The most common prefixes used to form new nouns in academic English are: co- and sub-. The most common suffixes are: -tion, -ity, -er, -ness, ism, -ment, -ant, -ship, -age, -ery. By far the most common noun affix in academic English is -tion.

    e.g. prefix + noun


    Prefix antiautobicoMeaning against self two joint

    noun
    Examples

    anticlimax, antidote, antithesis autobiography, automobile bilingualism, biculturalism, bi-metalism co-founder, co-owner, co-descendant counter-argument, counter-example, counterproposal discomfort, dislike ex-chairman, ex-hunter hyperinflation, hypersurface inattention, incoherence, incompatibility inpatient, interaction, inter-change, interference kilobyte malfunction, maltreatment, malnutrition megabyte misconduct, misdeed, mismanagement mini-publication, mini-theory monosyllable, monograph, monogamy neo-colonialism, neo-impressionism outbuilding, polysyllable

    counter- against disexhyperinininterkilomalmegamisminimononeooutpolythe converse of former extreme the converse of inside between thousand bad million wrong small one new separate many

    pseudo- false resemisubsupersurteletriultraunderviceagain half below more than, above over and above distant three beyond below, too little deputy

    pseudo-expert re-organisation, re-assessment, re-examination semicircle, semi-darkness subset, subdivision superset, superimposition, superpowers surtax telecommunications, tripartism ultrasound underpayment, under-development, undergraduate vice-president

    Exercise

    ^
    e.g. Suffix added to a verb (V), noun (N) or adjective (A)
    Suffix -tion -sion -er -ment Meaning action/instance of V-ing person who V-s something used for V-ing action/instance of V-ing Examples

    noun

    alteration, demonstration expansion, inclusion, admission advertiser, driver computer, silencer development, punishment, unemployment

    -ant -ent -age -al -ence -ance -ery/-ry

    person who V-s action/result of V action/result of V action/result of V action/instance of V-ing place of V-ing

    assistant, consultant student breakage, wastage, package denial, proposal, refusal, dismissal preference, dependence, interference attendance, acceptance, endurance bribery, robbery, misery refinery, bakery

    Suffix -er -ism -ship -age

    Meaning person concerned with N doctrine of N state of being N collection of N

    Examples

    astronomer, geographer Marxism, Maoism, Thatcherism friendship, citizenship, leadership baggage, plumage

    Suffix -ity -ness -cy

    Meaning state or quality of being A state or quality of being A state or quality of being A

    Examples

    ability, similarity, responsibility, curiosity darkness, preparedness, consciousness urgency, efficiency, frequency

    Exercise

    Adjectives
    Many adjectives are formed from a base of a different class with a suffix (e.g. -less, -ous). Adjectives can also be formed from other adjectives, especially by the negative prefixes (un-, in- and non-). The most common suffixes are -al, e.g. Suffix added to verbs or nouns
    Suffix -al -ent -ive -ous -ful -less -able Example

    -ent, -ive, -ous, -ful, -less.


    adjective

    central, political, national, optional, professional different, dependent, excellent attractive, effective, imaginative, repetitive continuous, dangerous, famous beautiful, peaceful, careful endless, homeless, careless, thoughtless drinkable, countable, avoidable,

    Exercise

    ^
    e.g. negative + adjective
    Prefix unim-/in-/ir/il-

    adjective
    Examples

    unfortunate, uncomfortable, unjust immature, impatient, improbable, inconvenient, irreplaceable, illegal

    nondis-

    non-fiction, non-political, non-neutral disloyal, dissimilar, dishonest

    Exercise

    Mixed
    e.g. base with both prefix and suffix Adjectives:

    uncomfortable, unavoidable, unimaginative, inactive, semi-

    circular
    Nouns:

    disappointment, misinformation, reformulation

    ^
    Word formation
    Formal written English uses nouns more than verbs. For example, judgement rather than judge, development rather thandevelop, admiration rather than admire.

    There appeared to be evidence of differential treatment of children. This is reflected in our admiration for people who have made something of their lives, sometimes against great odds, and in our somewhat disappointed judgment of those who merely drift through life. All airfields in the country would be nationalised, and the government would continue with thedevelopment of new aircraft as recommended by the Brabazon Committee.

    Associated with nominalisation is the occurrence of prepositional phrases, introduced by of:

    judgment of those treatment of children development of new aircraft


    -tion is the most common suffix used in this way. For example: alteration, resignation.
    However others are: -ity

    ability, similarity, complexity; -ness blindness, darkness, preparedness; -ment development, encouragement; ship friendship; -age mileage; -ery robbery, bribery; -al arrival; ance assistance, resemblance.

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