Affixes: Suffixes & Prefixes
Morphology
What is an affix?
Affix: An affix is a morpheme which is attached to the beginning or end of a word base. Affixes do two things:
(i) Change the meaning or words
(ii) Change the form of words.
Types of Affixes:
Suffixes and prefixes are two very common affixes.
What is a prefix?
Prefix: A Prefix is a morpheme which is added at the beginning of the stem or base word. Prefixes mainly channge the meaning of words; but do not change the class of words.
anti + biotic = antibiotic hyper + tension = hypertension
What is a Suffix?
Suffix: A sufix is a morpheme which is added at the end of the stem or base word. Suffixes do not change the meaning of word. Suffixes form new parts of speech.
free (Adjective) + dom = freedom (Noun)
friend (Common Noun) + ship = friendship (Abstract Noun)
PREFIXES THAT CHANGE MEANING OF THE ORIGINAL WORD
The following table shows you the most common prefixes which change the meaning of words:
| PREFIX | MEANING | EXAMPLES |
| a- | in a particular way | awake, asleep |
| a- | without | atypical. amoral |
| ante- | before | antechamber, antenatal, anteroom, antedate |
| anti- | against, opposte | antibiotic, antinuclear, antinuclear, antidepressant, antidote |
| auto- | self | autograph, autobiography |
| circum- | around | circumstance, circumvent, circumnavigate |
| co- | with | co-worker, co-pilot, co-operation |
| de- | to reverse/ to alter | devalue, defrost, derail, demotivate |
| dis- | to reverse, to remove | disarm, disagree, disappear, dismantle, disintegrate, disapprove, disqualify |
| down- | to lower, to reduce | downgrade, downsize |
| dys- | not regular, not normal | dyslexia, dysfunction |
| em- | cause to | embrace, embed |
| en- | cause to | encode, enclose, engulf |
| epi- | close to | epicentre, episcope, epidermis |
| ex- | former | ex-president, ex-boyfriend, exterminate |
| extra- | beyond | extracurricular, extraordinary, extra-terrestrial |
| fore- | before | forecast, forehead, foresee, foreword, foremost |
| half | one of two equal parts | halfway, halfmoon |
| homo- | same | homosexual, homonuclear, homoplastic |
| hyper- | more than usual, too much | hyperactive, hyperventilate |
| hypo | less than usual, too little | hypotension, hypothermia |
| il-, im-, in-, ir- | not | impossible, illegal, irresponsible, indefinite |
| im-, in- | into | insert, import, inside |
| infra- | below | infrastructure, infrared, infrasonic, infraspecific |
| inter- | between | interact, intermediate, intergalactic |
| intra- | within | intranet |
| intro- | directed within | introvert, introspection |
| macro | large | macroeconomics, macromolecule |
| micro- | small | microscope, microbiology, microfilm, microwave |
| mid- | middle | midfielder, midway, midsummer |
| mis- | wrongly | misinterpret, misfire, mistake, misunderstand |
| mono- | one, singular | monotone, monobrow, monolithic |
| non- | not, without | nonsense, nonentity, nondescript |
| omni- | all, every | omnibus, omnivore, omnipotent |
| para- | beside | parachute, paramedic, paradox |
| post- | after | post-mortem, postpone, post-natal |
| pre- | before | prefix, predetermine, pre-intermediate |
| re- | again | return, rediscover, reiterate, reunite |
| semi- | half | semicircle, semi-final, semiconscious |
| sub- | under | submerge, submarine, sub-category, subtitle |
| super- | above, over | superfood, superstar, supernatural, superimpose |
| therm- | heat | thermometer, thermostat, thermodynamic |
| trans- | across, beyond | transport, transnational, transatlantic |
| tri- | three | triangle, tripod, tricycle |
| un- | not | unfinished, unfriendly, undone, unknown |
| uni- | one | unicycle, universal, unilateral, unanimous |
PREFIXES THAT CHANGE THE CLASS WORDS
The following table shows you the most common prefixes which change the form of words:
| Prefix+Stem | New Word | Change of Form |
| be + little | belittle | Adjective to Verb |
| em + bed | embed | Noun to Verb |
| en + large | enlarge | Adjective to Verb |
Prefixes change the meaning of words. Suffixes also change the meaning sometimes. But most importantly suffixes change the class of words. We can often tell which part of speech a word is by looking at its suffix. Here are the most common suffixes we use everyday.
SUFFIXES WHICH FORM NOUNS:
The following suffixes form nouns from other parts of speech.
| Suffix | Examples | Function |
| -age | baggage, mileage | count to non-count noun |
| -al | arrival, burial, withdrawal | verb to noun |
| -ant/-ent | assistant, coolant, deodorant, student | |
| -ance/-ence | defiance, insistence, pretence | verb to noun |
| -arium/-orium | aquarium, crematorium, sanatorium | |
| -dom | boredom, freedom, stardom, wisdom | |
| -ee | absentee, devotee, trainee | |
| -ar/-er/-or | registrar, singer, indicator | verb to noun |
| -ie/-y | kiddie, daddy, puppy | |
| -hood | childhood, motherhood, knighthood | |
| -ism | defeatism, Marxism, pacifism | |
| -ist | Buddhist, exhibitionist, impressionist | |
| -ity/-ty | deity, rarity, similarity, cruelty, casualty | |
| -let/-ette | hamlet, booklet, kitchenette | |
| -ment | amazement, disappointment | verb to noun |
| -ness | friendliness, kindness | adjective to noun |
| -ary/-ery/-ory | library, fishery, laboratory | |
| -(r)y | entry, inquiry, bribery | verb to noun |
| -ship | craftsmanship, membership | |
| -sion/-tion/-xion | confusion, ammunition, expedition, infection, complexion | |
| -(at)ion | formation, resignation | verb to noun |
Suffixes which form adjectives
| Suffix | Examples | Function |
| -ble | readable, workable, responsible | verb to adjective |
| -al | informal, criminal | |
| -ed | bearded, long-sighted, short-tailed | noun to adjective |
| -en | woollen, golden, wooden | noun to adjective |
| -ese | Japanese, Taiwanese, Vietnamese | noun to adjective |
| -ful | grateful, helpful, mindful | |
| -i | Pakistani, Iraqi, Omani | noun to adjective |
| -ic(al) | heroic, poetic, historic(al) | noun to adjective |
| -ish | foolish, Danish, Polish | noun to adjective |
| -ive | adhesive, offensive, productive | verb to adjective |
| -ian | Brazilian, Christian, Iranian | noun to adjective |
| -less | childless, priceless | |
| -like | business-like, rubber-like | |
| -ly | monthly, yearly, manly | noun to adjective |
| -ous | enormous, famous, nervous | |
| -type | A-type, Hollywood-type | |
| -y | windy, shaky, frosty |
Suffixes which form verbs
| suffix | examples | |
| -ate | dominate, irritate | |
| -en | harden, lengthen, stiffen | adjective to verb |
| -ify | identify, magnify | |
| -ise/-ize | caramelise, Americanize |
Suffixes which form adverbs
| suffix | examples | |
| -ly | slowly, aggressively | |
| -ward(s) | backwards, homeward(s) | |
| -wise | clockwise, edgewise |
Now-a-days non-suffixed and suffixed forms of words are being used more or less synonymously (e.g. disorient/ disorientate; transport/ transportation).