Word Elements and their Uses

-prefix

indicates direction

intensity

negation

Some words have no prefixes.

Some words have more than one prefix.






BASE-

nominal (noun-base)

verbal (verb-base)

adjectival (descriptive base)

All words have one or more bases.

-suffix

indicates PART OF

SPEECH of entire word

adds meaning

Some words have no suffixes

Some words have more than one suffix.

In words with more than one suffix, the LAST SUFFIX IS DOMINANT.

Some ENGLISH examples

un- (not)

 

GOD- (noun base)

GOOD- (descriptive base)

SING- verb base

SONG-

-ly (makes word an adverb)

-er (one who)

-less (without)

-ish (like)

-ness (state of)

Use prefix and suffix meanings to define these words:
 

singer (one who sings)

songless (without a song)

goodish
goodly
goodness


    godly
ungodly
    godless

CLAS224 Word Elements
Monmouth College
Monmouth, Illinois
Instructor: Thomas J. Sienkewicz (toms@monm.edu)


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