Significant

Vocabulary

An English/Reading Workshop

Student Support Services

Troy University; Troy, AL 36082

OBJECTIVE

To teach you that using Word Roots, Prefixes and Suffixes can enhance your English vocabulary, improve your spelling, and support reading comprehension.

First, what is a “Root Word”?“A root word is a word that has nothing

added at the beginning or end.” (Internetclassroom.com)

“A root word is a real word and you can make new words from it by adding prefixes and suffixes. (Internetclassroom.com)

“A root is the basic element of a word, and it is the foundation on which the meaning of a word is built.” (Tending to Word Roots)

Root Word Example“Clear” is a root word.

You can add prefixes (beginning sounds) and suffixes (ending sounds) to root words

to create “Word Families”.

Example of a Word FamilyClear (root word)

Un- + clear = unclear (prefix + root word)

Clear + -ed = cleared (root word + suffix)

Notice that all of the above words in the word family have related meanings and easy-to-figure spellings.

Source: Internetclassroom. com (Skillswise factsheet)

Other Examples of Common Root Words with Suffixes Added

Root Suffix Suffix

Use Useless Usable

Employ Employer Employable

Manage Management Manager

Beauty Beautiful Beautician

Faith Faithless Faithful

Care Careful Careless

Other Examples of Common Root Words with Prefixes Added

Root Prefix Prefix

Vent (means to occur, express, permit, or release”)*

Prevent (to fail to permit or occur)*

Event (an occurrence)

Arch (a vaulted form or supporting foundation)*

Monarch (one ruler over a kingdom)

Oligarchy (a government led by a few self-centered leaders)

Factor (a product or producer)

Manufacture (to produce using human labor or manmade machinery)

Benefactor (a provider or supporter)

Log (word, documented record, length, or piece of bulky material such as a piece of wood)

Monologue (a lengthy speech)

Epilogue (a concluding speech)

Source: Merriam Webster online dictionary

Two Common English Prefixes

Un = not Word Examples: undone; unequal

Re- or Red- Word Examples: Recount, redo, refill

Think how many words you can formulate just by learning these two

prefixes.

See the handout provided to you for a list of common prefixes you encounter daily in English words.

Common English Suffixes

Suffixes Definition Example

-ate • Marked by or made by

Alienate

-ism • The quality or practice of

Baptism

-en • To make Weaken

-ation or – ition or tion

• The act or condition of

Affirmation, Recognition

-er, -ier, -ar• The one

committing the act

Teacher, Scholar

-ty or -ity • The state of Modesty, Honesty

ic- • Associated with

Democratic, Socratic

See the handout provided to you for a list of common suffixes you encounter daily in English words.

What’s the point . . . Of knowing prefixes, suffixes and

roots?

Watch this video to learn more: Click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1uooSd6C4c&feature=related

Prefixes, Suffixes, Roots ReviewA fun way to remember the

functions of Prefixes, Suffixes, Roots

Click here: YouTube - "Prefixes, Suffixes, & Roots" Rap www.educationalrap.com

Practice 1See how many words you can

think of using the following prefixes. Write them on the page provided for you. You have 30 seconds.

dis- (not, opposite of)un- (not)pre- (before)re- (again)

Practice 2Next, see how many words you can

think of using the following suffixes. Write them on the page provided for you. You have 30 seconds.

-ly (characteristic of)-ing (present participle verb)-ed (past tense verb)-s or -es(more than one)

THE ENDPlease complete an evaluation

form and submit it to SSS staff in the SSS Office.

Enjoy your learning experience here at Troy University.

SSS Office/ 109 Shackelford Hall Annex; Troy, AL 36082/ Ph: 334-670-5985