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Affixes and Root Notes
Affixes and Root Notes
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-
pre-expose, prejudge, pretest subcontract, subdivide transform, transcribe, transplant underfund, undersell, undervalue, underdevelop
Exercise
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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
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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.
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
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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
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
Examples
astronomer, geographer Marxism, Maoism, Thatcherism friendship, citizenship, leadership baggage, plumage
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
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
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e.g. negative + adjective
Prefix unim-/in-/ir/il-
adjective
Examples
nondis-
Exercise
Mixed
e.g. base with both prefix and suffix Adjectives:
circular
Nouns:
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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.
ability, similarity, complexity; -ness blindness, darkness, preparedness; -ment development, encouragement; ship friendship; -age mileage; -ery robbery, bribery; -al arrival; ance assistance, resemblance.