WORD FORMATION: Affixes

A suffix is a word part added to the ​ (a)   of a word to create a new meaning.

• end
• middle part
• beginning

When the suffix begins with a vowel, ​we often (a)   in the root word.

parachute + ist = parachutist

Exceptions: When the word ends in ce or ge, keep the silent -e if the suffix begins with a or o.

• double the silent -e
• drop the silent -e
• keep the silent -e

A prefix is a part of a word that can be joined to the ​ (a)    of another word, called the “root” word, to give it a different meaning.

• beginning
• end
• middle part

When there is a prefix, we ​ (a)   or ​ take away ​more letters.

• do not normally add
• normally add

We commonly change the prefix in- to ​ (a)   before L.

• im-
• il-
• ir-

We commonly change the prefix in- to ​ (a)   before m or p.

• im-
• il-
• ir-

We commonly change the prefix in- to ​ (a)   before r.

• im-
• il-
• ir-

These suffixes can be used to form the words for people: -er, -ist, -eer, -or, -ant, -ee, and -ian.

Add an appropriate suffix to the root word snowboard.

These suffixes can be used to form the words for people: -er, -ist, -eer, -or, -ant, -ee, and -ian.

Add an appropriate suffix to the root word spectate.

These suffixes can be used to form the words for people: -er, -ist, -eer, -or, -ant, -ee, and -ian.

Add an appropriate suffix to the root word parachute.