Roots and Affixes

A root (usually Greek or Latin) is the
main part of the word that gives
the basic meaning.

Learning roots and their meanings
will help you understand the
meaning of unfamiliar words.

Prefixes are added to the
beginning of base words or
roots to change their meanings.

re + create = recreate

prefix

new word

base
word

Suffixes are added to the
end of base words or roots
to change their meanings.

hope + ful = hopeful

base
word

new word

suffix

Multiple Choice

Add affixes to the word in parentheses

to correctly complete the sentence.

prefixes: re-, pre-, de-, dis-, un-, mis-

suffixes: -ful, -less, -able, -er/-or, -ment, -ly

I couldn’t hike very far because my boots

were too small and very _______.

(comfort)

• comfortment

• uncomfortable

• comfortly

Multiple Choice

What is the prefix in the word ...

misplaced

• miss

• plac

• ed

Multiple Choice

Add affixes to the word in parentheses

to correctly complete the sentence.

prefixes: re-, pre-, de-, dis-, un-, mis-

suffixes: -ful, -less, -able, -er/-or, -ment, -ly

After years of _______, our trampoline

ripped; this wouldn’t have happened if we

had taken better care of it. (treat)

• treatless

• retreat

• mistreatment

Multiple Choice

What is the root in this word....

dishonorable

• dis

• honor

• able

Multiple Choice

Add affixes to the word in parentheses

to correctly complete the sentence.

prefixes: re-, pre-, de-, dis-, un-, mis-

suffixes: -ful, -less, -able, -er/-or, -ment, -ly

My little brother complained because he

thought I was treating him _______.

(fair)

• unfairly

• fairment

• disfair

Multiple Choice

What is the suffix found in the word...

department

• de

• part

• ment