What are Base Words, Prefixes, and Suffixes?

Base Words

A base word is a word that can stand alone and has its own meaning. For example, the base word “happy” can be used by itself.

Example:

  • Happy

Prefixes

A prefix is a group of letters added to the beginning of a base word. It changes the meaning of the base word.

Examples:

  • “un-” is a prefix that means “not.”
    • Base word: happy
    • New word: unhappy (which means “not happy”)

Suffixes

A suffix is a group of letters added to the end of a base word. It can also change the meaning or the function of the word.

Examples:

  • “-ful” is a suffix that means “full of.”
    • Base word: beauty
    • New word: beautiful (which means “full of beauty”)

Key Rules

  1. Identifying Base Words: Look for the word that can stand alone.
  2. Finding Prefixes: Check the beginning of the word; if it has letters before the base word, those might be prefixes.
  3. Finding Suffixes: Look at the end of the word; if there are letters after the base word, those could be suffixes.

Tips and Tricks

  • Use flashcards to remember common prefixes and suffixes.
  • Try to build new words by adding different prefixes or suffixes to base words.
  • Practice with a friend by quizzing each other on new words you create.

Questions

Easy Level Questions

  1. What is the base word in the word “unhappy”?
  2. What prefix is in the word “redo”?
  3. What suffix is in the word “playful”?
  4. Is “kind” a base word?
  5. What does the prefix “dis-” mean?
  6. What is the base word in “happiness”?
  7. What is the suffix in “carefully”?
  8. Does “friend” have a prefix?
  9. What does “un” mean in “unfair”?
  10. What is the base word in “joyful”?

Medium Level Questions

  1. Create a word using the prefix “mis-“.
  2. What is the base word in “teacherly”?
  3. What does the suffix “-ness” indicate?
  4. Is “happy” a base word? Why?
  5. What prefix can be added to “appear” to mean “not appear”?
  6. What is the suffix in “wonderful”?
  7. Make a new word by adding a suffix to “play”.
  8. Which prefix means “before”?
  9. What is the base word in “replay”?
  10. What does the suffix “-er” do to the base word “teach”?

Hard Level Questions

  1. What does the prefix “auto-” mean? Give an example.
  2. Identify the base word in “unbelievable”.
  3. What suffix would you use to change “happy” to describe a state of being?
  4. What is the meaning of the prefix “inter-“? Give an example.
  5. Create a new word using the suffix “-ist”.
  6. Is “care” a base word? What suffix can you add to it?
  7. Identify the prefix in “disagree” and explain its meaning.
  8. What base word does the suffix “-ation” attach to?
  9. Create a word using the prefix “over-“.
  10. What does the suffix “-less” mean? Give an example.

Answers

Easy Level Answers

  1. Happy
  2. Re-
  3. -ful
  4. Yes
  5. It means “not.”
  6. Happy
  7. -ly
  8. No
  9. It means “not.”
  10. Joy

Medium Level Answers

  1. Misunderstand
  2. Teach
  3. It indicates a state or quality.
  4. Yes, because it can stand alone.
  5. Disappear
  6. -ful
  7. Playful
  8. Pre-
  9. Play
  10. It changes it to “one who teaches.”

Hard Level Answers

  1. It means “self.” Example: autobiography.
  2. Believe
  3. -ness (it becomes happiness).
  4. It means “between.” Example: international.
  5. Artist
  6. Yes. You can add -ful to make careful.
  7. “Dis-” means “not” or “opposite of.”
  8. Create (it becomes creation).
  9. Overeat
  10. It means “without.” Example: helpless.

Feel free to ask questions, and let’s explore more about base words, prefixes, and suffixes together!