ICSE Class 9 Grammar Revision Notes for Prefixes and Suffixes

• Change the part of speech of the word
  
• Indicate whether the number is singular or plural
  
• Indicate the tense of the verb
  
• Indicate the gender of a noun
  

• In the above cases, the roots -bi-, -generat- and -tract- cannot stand alone as individual words.
• They are therefore known as root words. 

• A base word, unlike a root word, can stand on its own like an independent word.
• It does not need the addition of the prefix or suffix in order to function as a stand-alone word. 
• For example, let us consider the words redone, nonviolent and unmoved.
  
• In the above examples, done, violent and moved can function as independent words.

Common Root Words

How to Use the Affixation System

• Thorough knowledge of the English affixation system helps us in guessing the meaning of the word purely by the means of its Prefix-Root-Suffix structure.
• Because of the limitations of our memory, it is not easy to mug up a large number of words at a time.
• We may find it difficult to associate the meaning of the word with its structure

 

In this manner, we can guess the meanings of the words solely by the virtue of their roots.
Thus, in order to have a rich vocabulary, students should learn the Prefix-Root-Suffix method. It is an interesting way to expand your vocabulary with a little effort. Students who are well-versed with the affixation system find it easier to tackle difficult words and are more confident about their word usage. It will definitely give you an edge over the others when it comes to vocabulary.