Affixes in Grammar- Definition, Types, Examples, and Usage
Affixes play a crucial role in grammar, helping to form new words and modify their meanings. Understanding affixes is essential for language learners and anyone looking to expand their vocabulary and grasp the intricacies of word formation.
What are Affixes?
Affixes are morphemes, the smallest units of meaning, that are attached to a base word (root) to create new words or alter their meanings. Affixes can appear at the beginning, middle, or end of a word and are divided into five main categories: Prefixes, Suffixes, Infixes, Circumfixes and Combiningforms.
Types of Affixes
Prefixes
Definition: Prefixes are affixes added to the beginning of a root word. Function: They alter the meaning of the root word, often indicating negation, direction, time, or intensity. Examples:
Un- (negation): Unhappy (not happy)
Pre- (before): Preview (view before)
Re- (again): Rewrite (write again)
Sub- (under): Submarine (underwater vessel)
Suffixes
Definition: Suffixes are affixes added to the end of a root word. Function: They frequently change the grammatical category or meaning of the root word. Examples:
-ness (state or quality): Happiness (state of being happy)
-ly (manner): Quickly (in a quick manner)
-ment (action or process): Enjoyment (the state of enjoying)
-able (capable of): Breakable (capable of being broken)
Infixes
Definition: Infixes are affixes inserted into the middle of a root word. They are less common in English but prevalent in other languages. Function: They modify meaning or emphasize certain aspects of the root word. Examples:
In English, infixes are often used informally or humorously, such as in the word un-freaking-believable.
Circumfixes
Definition: Circumfixes are affixes that are added to both the beginning and the end of a root word simultaneously. Function: They modify the meaning or grammatical category of the root word. Examples:
In German, the past participle of machen (to make) is gemacht, where ge- and -t are the circumfixes.
Combining Forms
Definition: Combining forms are bound morphemes that typically combine with other forms to create complex words. Unlike affixes, combining forms can serve as either prefixes or suffixes and often derive from Greek or Latin roots. Function: They help create new words, particularly in scientific, medical, and technical terminology. Examples:
Bio- (life): Biology (the study of life)
-logy (study of): Zoology (the study of animals)
Thermo- (heat): Thermometer (an instrument to measure temperature)
-graphy (writing or recording): Photography (the process of recording images)
Usage of Affixes
Affixes are widely used in word formation, allowing speakers to create new words and convey complex ideas more efficiently.
Here are common ways affixes are used:
Creating New Words:
Affixes help form derivatives from root words, expanding the vocabulary. For example, adding the prefix dis- to connect forms the new word disconnect.
Changing Word Classes:
Suffixes often change a word’s part of speech. For example, adding -ly to the adjective quick forms the adverb quickly.
Indicating Tense, Number, and Degree:
Inflectional suffixes indicate grammatical changes such as tense (-ed for past tense, e.g., walked), number (-s for plural, e.g., dogs), and degree (-er for comparative, e.g., bigger).
Negation and Opposition:
Prefixes such as un-, dis-, and in- are used to negate or express the opposite of the root word. For example, unhappy means not happy.
Intensifying or Diminishing Meaning:
Some prefixes and suffixes intensify or diminish the meaning of the root word. For example, the prefix super- in superhuman indicates an enhanced level of human ability.
Examples of Affix Usage in Sentences
Prefixes:
Un-: She felt uncomfortable in the new dress. (un- modifies comfortable)
Re-: The team will reorganize the office tomorrow. (re- modifies organize)
Dis-: He was disinterested in the meeting. (dis- modifies interested)
Pre-: We watched the preview of the movie. (pre- modifies view)
Suffixes:
-ness: Her kindness was appreciated by everyone. (-ness modifies kind)
-ly: He spoke softly to avoid waking the baby. (-ly modifies soft)
-ment: The enjoyment of the trip was evident on their faces. (-ment modifies enjoy)
-able: This glass is breakable. (-able modifies break)
Infixes:
-bloody-: That movie was abso-bloody-lutely fantastic. (humorous infix -bloody- in absolutely)
In some informal speech: That’s un-freaking-believable! (infix -freaking- in unbelievable)
Circumfixes:
In German: The past participle of machen (to make) is gemacht, where ge- and -t are the circumfixes.
In Malay: The word keputusan (decision) uses the circumfix ke-…-an around the root putus (decide).
Combining Forms:
Bio-: The study of life forms is called biology, where bio- means life and -logy means study of.
-logy: She is studying zoology, the science of animals. (-logy combines with zoo-)
Thermo-: He used a thermometer to check the temperature. (thermo- modifies meter)
-graphy: She loves photography, the art of capturing images. (-graphy modifies photo-)
Affixes are essential components of language, enriching our vocabulary and enabling precise and varied expression. By understanding and using prefixes, suffixes, infixes, circumfixes, and combining forms effectively, language learners can enhance their communication skills and deepen their comprehension of word formation. Whether you’re a student, writer, or language enthusiast, mastering affixes can significantly improve your linguistic abilities.
