Word formation

Mari TagelTiina Lind12a

Word-classes

Abstract noun Personal noun Verb Adjective Adverb

Prefixes

Syllables added before certain word. Meaning of new word depends on

prefix. Often used to give adjective a

negative or an opposite meaning. All prefixes are derivational.

Negative meaning prefixes

Prefix Meaning Examples

anti- against antisocial, antibiotic, anti-war

de- reverse action, get rid of

Defrost, depoliticize

dis- not, get rid of, opposite of

disloyal, disagree, disconnect, disinformation,

ex- former ex-husband, ex-boss, ex-colleague

mal- bad(ly) malnourish, malfunction,maltreat

mis- wrong, astray misinformation, misguide, mishear

non- not nonhuman, nonexistent

in-/il-/im-/ir- not, opposite of

Inexact, illogical, impossible, irregular

un- reverse action, deprive of, release from

undo, untie

with- against withstand

un- not, opposite of

unnecessary, unequal

Number suffixes

bi-/twi- two biannual, bicycle/ twibill, twilight

mono- one, solo, only monogamy, monorail

multi- many multi-storey

homo- same homosexual, homophobic

Other English suffixes

a-/an- lacking in, lack of asexual, anemic

a- verb > predicative adjective with progressive aspect

afloat, atremble

co- joint, with, accompanying

co-worker, cooperation

en-/em- to make into, to put into, to get into

empower, enmesh

mini- small minimarket, mini-room

out- better, faster, longer, beyond

outreach, outcome

over- too much overreact, overact, overrated

post- after post-election, post-graduation

pre- before pre-election, pre-enter

pro- for, on the side of pro-life

re- again, back rerun, rewrite

self- self self-sufficient

step- family relation by remarriage

stepbrother

fore- before forerunner,

hyper- extra specially, over, high

hypermarket, hyperthermia

sub- under, lower than, less than

sub-zero

super- over, above, more than, better

superpower, supernatural

trans- across, from one place to another

transatlantic

ultra- beyond, extremely ultraviolet, ultramagnetic

under- below, beneath, lower in grade/dignity

underground, underpass

vice- deputy vice-president, vice-principal

Some new preffiexes Afro- Afro-American auto- automatic bio- biodegrade demi- demigod demo- demography eco- ecosystem Euro- Eurocentric geo- geography

hydro- hydroelectricity in- insert iso- isochromatic micro- microbacillus neo- neolithic pro- proconsul retro- retrograde sur- surreal, surrender tele- television

Suffixes

Syllables which are added in the end of the word

Changes meaning of word

Noun referring to people Verb +

-er writer; teacher -or sailor; -ee beggar -ant contestant -ent student -ee trainee

Noun -an republican -ian librarian

Noun/verb/adjectiv + -ist tourist;nationalist

Nouns formed from verbs -age package -al refusal -ance acceptance -ation realisation -ence difference -ion revision -ment enjoyment -sion comprehension -sis hypnosis -tion prescription

Nouns formed from adjectives -ance importance -cy vacancy -ence competence -ion Desolation -ness loneliness -ity fomality -ty loyality -y modesty

Adjectives formed from nouns -ous famous -al additional -ic heroic -ive expencive -ful careful -lesscareless -y healthy -ly friendly

Adjectives formed from verbs

-able likeable -ible defensible -ive conclusive

Verbs formed from adjectives

-en lighten -ise legalise -ize organize

References

En.wikipedia.org Grammarway 4 http://www.slideshare.net/teflang/

word-formation-in-english/

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