Affixes in English grammar

Affixes in English grammar

Affixes in English grammar. Types of Affixes in English grammar with examples. Examples for prefix and suffix. List of prefix and suffix.

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What is affix?

In English grammar and morphology, an affix is a word element that can be attached to a base or root to form a new word or new form of the word, usually occurring as either a prefix or suffix.

Put simply, an affix is a group of letters that are generally added to the beginning or the end of a root word that can change the word’s meaning.

Types of affix:

There are two types of affixes in English grammar. The two main types of affixes are prefixes and suffixes.

What Is a Prefix?

A prefix is a letter or group of letters attached to the beginning of a word that partly indicates its meaning.

The word prefix itself contains the prefix pre-, which means before, and the root word fix, which means to fasten or place. Thus, the word itself means “to place before.”

Examples:

a-,       be-,     BI-,      cis,      anti-,  a-,       Vice,   of-,      dis-,    re-,      Super-,

What Is a Suffix?

A suffix is a letter or group of letters added to the end of a word or root, serving to form a new word or functioning as an inflectional ending.

Examples:

-able,  -ible,   -ile,     -age,   -cracy,            -ed,     -ful,     -logy,  -ness

List of prefixes:

bi-       biannual, bicycle, bifocals, bisect, bivalve, biweekly

de-      decode, decrease, deflate, degenerate, depress

co-      co-worker, co-pilot, co-operation

dis-     disagree, disallow, disarray, disconnect, disloyal, disrespect

ex-      exceed, exclusive, exhale, explosion, ex-wife

fore-   forearm, forecast, forerunner, foresee

homo- homosexual, homonuclear, homoplastic

im-      impossible, improper, impure

in-       inaction, incapable, invisible

mis-    misinform, misinterpret, mislead, misplace, mistake

pre-    prefix, preheat, prehistory, premature

pro-    proactive, produce, profess, program, progress, propel

re-       react, reappear, reform, report, rerun, retrieve, revert, revise

post-  post-mortem, postpone, post-natal

trans- transatlantic, transcribe, transfer, transform

un-      unable, undo, unequal, unusual, untie

anti     antibiotic, antidepressant, antidote, antisocial

List of suffixes:

-Ly      quickly, badly, beautifully, boldly, bravely, breathlessly, carefully, certainly, correctly

-Ward            forward, downward, backward, westward, eastward, windward, untoward

-ness              heaviness, highness, sickness, dryness, coolness, baldness

-acy    democracy, accuracy, democracy, diplomacy, supremacy, autocracy

-ist      geologist, scientist, theorist, communist, receptionist, technologist, nutritionist

-tion   position, promotion, ambition, pollution, revolution, affection, caution, revolution

-Ment            enchantment, argument, adjustment, achievement, punishment, payment,

–ible       flexible, sensible, possible, impossible, horrible, terrible, flexible, inflexible

–able     suitable, capable, comfortable, valuable, acceptable, remarkable, stable

-en      woollen, golden, wooden, sweeten, harden, flatten, lighten

-ful      beautiful, powerful, Grateful, Colourful, Doubtful, peaceful, faithful, dreadful

–less   careless, meaningless, harmless, ruthless, countless, restless, careless, needless, reckless, pointless, breathless, powerless, relentless, motionless, worthless, stainless.

Watch this video for the explanation of Affixes in English grammar.

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