Derivation

​Derivation

​Derivation is the process of creating a new word out of a root (A basic word), usually by adding a prefix or a suffix.

Prefixes = placed at the beginning of a word, e.g. the 'un' in 'unhappy' is a prefix.

Suffixes = placed at the end of a word, e.g. the 'ly' in 'finally' is a suffix.

​Derivatives can be formed in two different ways:

1. Adding a prefix to the root of a word.

2. Adding a suffix to the root of a word.

​The word that has been changed due to derivation is referred to as a derivative of the root word. For example:

Carefully is a derivative of the word careful.

​Below are some examples of different suffixes and how they can change the word class (e.g. nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc.):

​Suffixes

Suffixes can be added to an adjective to form different word classes:

Weak (adjective) ⇨ Weakness (noun)

Short (adjective) ⇨ Shorten (verb)

Polite (adjective) ⇨ Politely (adverb)

​Sometimes, suffixes can be added to an adjective without changing the word class. For example:

Pink (adjective) ⇨ Pinkish (adjective).

​Suffixes

Suffixes can be added to a noun to form different word classes:

Tradition (noun) ⇨ Traditional (adjective)

Motive (noun) ⇨ Motivate (verb)

​Sometimes, suffixes can be added to a noun without changing the word class - for example:

Friend (noun) ⇨ Friendship (noun)

​Suffixes

Suffixes can also be added to a verb to form different word classes:

Annoy (verb) ⇨ Annoying (adjective)

Write (verb) ⇨ Writer (noun)

​Verb + -ive, -al, -ary, -ed/d, -al, -ing, -ant, -ent, -able, -ate, ==> Adjective + ly ==> Adverb

Examples:

Compare + ive = comparative + ly = comparatively Complement + al = complemental + ly = complementally Complement + ary = complementary + ly = complementarily Compose + ed/d = composed + ly = composedly Accord + ing = according + ly = accordingly Accord + ant = accordant + ly = accordantly

Intermit + ent = intermittent + ly = intermittently

Apply + able = applicable + ly = applicably

Consider + ate = considerate + ly = considerately

​Prefixes

When a prefix is added to a word, the word form changes. However, the word class usually remains the same. For example:

Do (verb) ⇨ Undo (verb)

Happy (adjective) ⇨ Unhappy (adjective)

​Prefixes

Derivation examples in English

Look at some more examples of derivation:

Root word	Derivative	Affix type
Write	Rewrite	Prefix
Intense	Intensify	Suffix
Conscious	Subconscious	Prefix
Predict	Predictable	Suffix
Agree	Disagree	Prefix
Kind	Kindness	Suffix
Sure	Unsure	Prefix
Establish	Establishment	Suffix
Perfect	Imperfect	Prefix
Relation	Relationship	Suffix

Fill in the Blanks

Write the derivation for.

Happy - 

(suffix)

Fill in the Blanks

Write the derivation for.

Happy - 

(prefix)

Fill in the Blanks

Write the derivation for.

Treat  

(suffix)

Fill in the Blanks

Write the derivation for.

Treat  

(prefix)

Fill in the Blanks

Write the derivation for .

True -  

(suffix)

Fill in the Blanks

Write the derivation for .

Weak -  

(suffix)

Fill in the Blanks

Write the derivation for .

Slow -  

(suffix)

Fill in the Blanks

Write the derivation for .

Slow -  

(suffix)

Fill in the Blanks

Write the derivation for .

Disturb -  

(suffix)

Fill in the Blanks

Out of the following two words, which one is the root word?

Kindness OR kind?

Fill in the Blanks

Out of the following two words, which one is the derivative?

Unclear OR clear?

Fill in the Blanks

In the following example, which word class does the derivative change into?

Comfort (noun) ---> comfortable (?)

Fill in the Blanks

In the following example, which word class does the derivative change into?

Punish (verb) ---> punishment (?)

Multiple Choice

True or false?

Derivation is a way of forming new words.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

In the following example, which word class does the derivative change into?

Short (adjective) ---> shorten (?)

• Noun

• Verb

• Adverb

Multiple Choice

Out of the following two words, which one is the root word?

Polite OR politely?

• Polite

• Politely

Multiple Choice

Out of the following words, which one uses prefix?

• Agree

• disagree?

• Agreement

Multiple Choice

Out of the following words, which one uses suffix?

• Agree

• disagree?

• Agreement

Multiple Choice

Carefully is a derivative of the word _______.

• careful

• cared

• caring

Fill in the Blanks

Write the correct prefix:

I wanted to ease my stomach

comfort, so I drank some ginger root tea.