AFFIXES AND COMBINING FORMS

Prefixes

Suffixes

Combining Forms

[A familiarity with affixes and combining forms is important in attacking the pronunciation of a word and also in attacking the meaning of a word.

Most of the affixes are one syllable that can be attacked like any other syllable.]

PREFIXES

You have seen how we can add endings to base words. The word "like" is a base word. If we add ed to "like," it becomes "liked." These endings don't change the basic meaning of the base word.

When we add a word part called an affix to a base word, the meaning is changed. An affix added on the front end of a base word is called a prefix. When we add the prefix dis to the front end of "like," what do we get? We get "dislike" which means the opposite of "like." Do you like ice cream or do you dislike it? Can you think of another word that starts with dis?

CHALLENGE 1: The "not" prefixes.

dis-: I dislike the medicine. + distrust, dissatisfied

il-: It is illegal to jaywalk. + ill-mannered, illiterate

im-: His actions were improper. + imperfect, impractical

in-: His answer was incorrect. + inactive, insecure

ir-/ear/: He is an irresponsible ski bum. + irregular, irreplaceable

CHALLENGE 2: More "not" prefixes.

mal-: What caused the alarm to malfunction? + malformed, malpractice

mis-: I mistrust some politicians. + misguided, mismatch

non-: He flew nonstop to New York. + nonfood, nondairy

un-: I can't unzip my coat. + unable, undo

counter-: Water will counteract the burning. + counterculture, countermove

anti-: He put antifreeze in the car. + antibiotic, antismoking

CHALLENGE 3: Seven prefixes. The general meaning of the prefixes below is enclosed in parentheses. The first five prefixes are open syllables ending with a long vowel sound. The last two have a weak vowel.

re-: (again): Frank will rewrite his letter. + redo, retell

pre- (before): The pizza is precut. + presold, pregame

co- (together): Fred's coworker is ill. + copilot, coanchor

de- (from, remove): We should defrost the refrigerator. + decode, destabilize

be- (by): Will you stand beside me? + behead, becalm

a- (on): The empty boat is afloat. + afire, awash

Some of the above prefixes have been "absorbed" into words. They are still separate open syllables, but the vowel is "weak" like a short i or u sound. Here are some examples:

retard, retract, prevent, depart, deprive, belong

CHALLENGE 4: Prefixes that tell where.

hyper- (over): The monkey is hyperactive. + hyperacidity, hyperexcited

hypo- (under): Hypodermic needles are used to give flu shots. + hypotension

inter-(between): Go on the interstate (between cities) highway. + interbank

sub- (below): His temperature is subnormal. + subzero

super- (over): The fireman made a superhuman effort. + supermarket

trans- (across): Linberg made the first transatlantic flight. + transpolar

CHALLENGE 5: Prefixes that tell how many or how much.

uni- (one) Charlie rode his unicycle in the parade. + unilateral, unisex

bi- (two) He is riding his mountain bicycle. + biannual, biplane

tri- (three) Timmy got a tricycle for Christmas. + tricolor, triangle

quadr- (four) A square is a quadrangle. + quadriplegic, quadrennial

quin- (five) Have you heard of the Dione quintuplets? + quintet, quintuplicate

dec- (ten) We are near the end of the decade. + decathlon, decalogue

CHALLENGE 6: More prefixes that tell how many or how much.

centi- (hundredth or hundred) There are 2.54 centimeters in an inch. + centiliter, centennial

milli- (thousandth) Fingernails grow one millimeter in about 10 days. + milliliter, milligram

kilo- (thousand) A kilogram is a little over two pounds. + kilometer, kilowatt

mega- (million) A megaton is a very large amount. + megadose, "megabucks"

CHALLENGE 7: More prefixes that tell how many or how much.

semi- (half) He drew a semicircle.+ semiannual, semitrailer

multi- (more than one, many) "Syllable is a multisyllabic word. + multistage, multilingual

poly- (many) A polysyllable is a big word. + polygon, polygraph

micro- (very small) You can see germs with a microscope. + microbe, microchip

macro- (large) You can see macroscopic bugs with the naked eye. + macroscale, macronutrient

mini- (small) What is the doctor's minimum fee? + minibike, miniskirt

maxi- (extra large) What is the maximum you will pay? + maximize, maximal

SUFFIXES

An affix added on the end of a base word is called a suffix. When we add the suffix able to the end of "like," we get "likeable." We might say, "I like Mary. She is likeable."

CHALLENGE 1: Suffixes which are noun or naming word endings that mean "one who."

-er: A farmer is one who farms. + dancer, baker

-man: A fireman is one who puts out fires. + policeman, brakeman

-ist A dentist is one who works on teeth. + cartoonist, typist

-ian: A librarian is one who works in a library. + veterinarian, vegetarian

-ant: A servant is one who serves other people. + assistant, applicant

-ee: A payee on a check is the one who is paid. + lessee, mortgagee

CHALLENGE 2: Suffixes which change verbs or action words and descriptive words to nouns or naming words.

-ation: An alteration is needed on my coat. + flirtation, starvation

-ance: The sirens are an annoyance. + allowance, resistance

-ness: "It is better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness." + goodness, kindness

-ment: The flood caused some excitement. + agreement, pavement

-ity: This is good for stomach acidity. + rancidity, activity

CHALLENGE 3: More suffixes which usually change the part of speech of a word.

-ism: Sweden has democratic socialism. + alcoholism, sexism

-ior: Edward's behavior was bad. + savior, warrior

-dom: We have freedom of speech in this country. + boredom, kingdom

-ure: George was a failure in business. + pleasure, departure

-ery John received a medal for bravery. + brewery, robbery

CHALLENGE 4: Suffixes that change the meaning of a noun or naming word.

-ship: I value Roger's friendship. + ownership, showmanship

-ade: Do you like lemonade? + blockade

-age: I don't have much baggage. + acreage, voltage

-hood: Measles is a childhood disease. + adulthood, statehood

-ess: She is the hostess with the "mostess." + heiress, seamstress

CHALLENGE 5: Suffixes that make descriptive words.

-y: The soil in the garden is sandy. + watery, dirty

-ful: Be careful with gasoline. + thoughtful, handful

-al: The change is almost magical. + coastal, natural

-less: The fake jewels are worthless. + cloudless, humorless

-ish: It was a foolish thing to do. + boyish, impish

-ic: The hotel fire was tragic. + heroic, historic

CHALLENGE 6: More suffixes that make descriptive words.

-esque: Switzerland is picturesque. + grotesque, statuesque

-ive: The car's brakes were defective. + explosive, conclusive

-ative: She found an imaginative solution. + informative, figurative

-able: Fresh fruit is desirable. + likeable, debatable

-ible: It was a horrible accident. + edible, divisible

-ous: He was a famous actor. + hazardous, joyous

CHALLENGE 7: Suffixes that make verbs or action words.

-en: She will lengthen the sleeves. + widen, loosen

-fy: Can you magnify the tiny bug so that I can see it? + clarify, classify

-ate: He is too young to vaccinate for measles. + activate

-ize: The movie will popularize the style. + customize, familiarize

CHALLENGE 8: Suffixes that make words that tell more about the action.

-ly: Walk softly through the room. + lowly, poorly

-wise: Turn it clockwise. + lengthwise, crosswise

-ward: Move it forward three feet. + backward, downward

CHALLENGE 9: When you attack a word, look out for prefixes, base words, and suffixes. Try pronouncing this easy word:

antidisestablishmentarianism

This word is the longest regular word in the English language, and it consists of two prefixes, a base word, and three suffixes:

anti-dis-establish-ment-arian-ism

COMBINING FORMS

Many English words contain roots (stems or bases) borrowed from Greek and Latin words. For example, the word "port" comes from a Latin word, "portare," meaning to carry. The are is a Latin word ending. The root meaning of "import" is to carry in and "export" is to carry out. "Report" is to carry back, particularly a message. A "porter" is one who carries. Here are some more "port" words: seaport, deport, passport, portable, transport.

The present meaning of many words has often changed from the root meaning. Therefore, we will not cover Greek and Latin roots except for a special kind called combining forms. They are often used to build new compound words especially in science and technology. For example, "thermometer" combines therm meaning heat with meter meaning a way of measuring. "Phonograph" combines phon meaning "sound," with graph meaning "to write."

Combining forms are often called affixes, but a combining form can make a word by adding an affix. For example, we can make a word by attaching the suffix ic to graph. A "graphic" is a picture or a writing or drawing. We can't make a new word by joining a suffix to a prefix. We can look up affixes and combining forms in a good dictionary.

A combining form may be attached to another combining form (autograph), to a word (malpractice), to a root (atmosphere), or to an affix (graphic). A vowel is often added to a combining form, e.g., auto or bio.

CHALLENGE 1: Joining two combining forms to form a word.

audio phile (hearing or sound - lover): Jack is an audiophile. + audiovisual(sound - pictures)

auto graph (self - written): May I have your autograph? + automobile, automatic

photo graph (light - written): She took a nice photograph. + photocopy, telephoto

bio graphy (life - written): I am reading the biography of Lincoln.+ biology, biosphere

CHALLENGE 2: More joining of two combining forms to form a word..

cardio logy (heart - study or science): The doctor's specialty is cardiology. + cardiogram

theo logy (God - study): He is taking a course in theology. + biology, geology

hypo derm ic (under - skin): She was given a hypodermic injection. + dermatologist, epidermis

equi nox (equal - night): When is the date of the vernal equinox? + equidistant, equilateral

CHALLENGE 3: More joining of two combining forms to form a word..

geo metry (earth - measure): Sammy is studying geometry. + geology, geography

hetero nym (different - name): A heteronym is spelled the same but pronounced differently.

pseudo nym (false - name): The author uses a pseudonym.+ pseudoscience, pseudoparalysis

homo phone (same - sound): Homophones are pronounced alike. + homograph, homogenous

tele phone (from afar - sound): The telephone rang. + phonograph, microphone

CHALLENGE 4: More joining of two combining forms to form a word..

hydro phil/ic (water - loving): Water lilies are hydrophilic plants. + dehydrate, hydroplane

hydro phobic (water - fear of): Sue is hydrophobic. + claustrophobic, homophobic

psych iatric (mind - treatment): The patient is under psychiatric care. + psychoanalysis, psychology

atmo sphere (vapor - globe): We get our moisture from the atmosphere. + hemisphere

thermo meter (temperature - measure): The thermometer registers 98.6 degrees. + thermostat

CHALLENGE 5: Joining a combining form with an affix or word to form a new word..

dia logue (across - talk): The couple had a serious dialogue. + monologue, travelogue

(dia-, prefix)

syn o nym (same - name): "Fast' is a synonym for "rapid." + antonym, pseudonym

(syn-, prefix)

gastr itis (belly - disease): I have severe gastritis. + gastric, gastrointestinal

(-itis, suffix)

neur itis (nerve - disease): Her diagnosis is neuritis.+ neurologist, neurosurgeon

mal practice (bad): The doctor was sued for malpractice. + maladjusted, malformed