Roots & Affixes

1. Roots & Affixes • English has more than 3 million words (we like to borrow, a lot) • Most languages have far fewer words • Some languages rarely borrow, and only reluctantly • The French vigorously attempt to preserve the purity of • their language by excluding words from other languages • But, English, from its start, has always • taken words from many sources and incorporated them • WHY DO YOU THINK OUR LANGUAGE IS LIKE THAT?

2. The primary meaning of a word comes from its root, or base. In addition to roots, affixes also create meaning. • Affixes are word parts added to either • the beginning or end of a word. • Prefixes come BEFORE the root. • Suffixes come AFTER the root.

3. Root Words Abouthalf of the English words are derived, or come from, Greek and Latin roots. Knowing these roots will help you know the meaning of words before we look them up in the dictionary. It also helps to see how words are often arranged in families with similar characteristics. http://www.tv411.org/lessons/cfm/vocabulary.cfm?str=vocabulary&num=5&act=1

4. Prefixes are word parts added to the beginning of a word. Prefixes change the meaning of the word. Ex. I agree with all of the rules we have established at this school. I disagree with all of the rules we have established at this school. Prefixes Common Prefixes http://www.quia.com/rr/37717.html

5. Suffixes are word parts added to the end of a word. Suffixes change the words part of speech. Ex. Rick Perry governs over the state of Texas. (governs is a verb.) The government of our state regulates all of the laws in our state. (government is a noun) Suffixes Common Suffixes http://www.sadlier-oxford.com/cgi-bin/phonics/wbw/fishtanks.pl?pre=&base=&suf=&Submit=Continue&ind=0&lastright=true&correct=0&wrong=0