Root words are also known as base words. We attach extra letters known as affixes to modify its meaning. We put the prefix before the root word. We attach a suffix at the end of the root word.
Here are some common prefixes and their meanings:
|
PREFIX
|
MEANING
|
EXAMPLES
|
|
re-
|
again; do for another time
|
retry – to try again
reread – to read again
replay- to play again
|
|
un-
|
not; opposite of
|
unclean – not clean
unpleasant – opposite of
pleasant
unbreakable – not breakable
|
|
dis-
|
no or not
(it is usually used for
adjectives)
|
dishonest – not honest
disable – not able
disappear – does not
appear
|
|
im-
|
not
(used before words beginning
with m or p)
|
improper – not proper
impatient – not patient
immature – not mature
|
|
in-
|
no or not; without
|
incorrect – not correct
inactive – not active
inattention – without attention
|
Here are some common suffixes and their meanings:
|
SUFFIX
|
MEANING
|
EXAMPLES
|
|
-less
|
not having; without
|
hopeless – without hope
careless – without care
fearless – without fear
|
|
-ful
|
having the qualities of
|
truthful – always telling the truth
helpful – always ready to help
careful – show a lot of care
|
|
-ly
|
in specified manner
|
slowly – doing things in a slow manner
calmly – doing things in a calm manner
friendly – showing qualities of a friend
|
|
-or
|
one that does a specified
thing
|
actor – one who acts
illustrator – one who illustrates
collector – one who collects
|
|
-er
|
one that does a specified
thing
|
painter – one who paints
singer – one who sings
teacher – one who teaches
|
Here are some worksheets that you can use:
Here is a short worksheet on identifying the root of the given words. It also contains items to help identify root words vs words with affixes.
