English - Identifying Root Words and Using Affixes

A dictionary sure is helpful in finding out the meaning of words that we do not know. However, it is not something that we have on hand all of the time. To be able to at least guess the meaning of a new  word, it is very helpful to know how to identify root words and the meaning of common affixes.

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:

English 2 - Identifying root words

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.