English Language Arts
Grade 9
15 min
Identify base words, prefixes, and suffixes
Identify base words, prefixes, and suffixes
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Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Deconstruct complex, multi-syllabic words into their component parts: prefix, base word/root, and suffix.
Define common Greek and Latin prefixes and suffixes used in academic and literary texts.
Identify the base word of a complex term and determine its core meaning.
Analyze how an author's use of specific prefixes and suffixes contributes to the tone and meaning of a text.
Apply knowledge of word parts to infer the meaning of unfamiliar vocabulary encountered in Grade 9 literature and non-fiction.
Articulate how adding or removing affixes changes a word's part of speech and meaning.
Ever seen a word like 'antidisestablishmentarianism' and felt intimidated? 🤯 What if you could decode it like a secret message, just by understanding its...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Base WordA complete word that can stand on its own and has a distinct meaning. Prefixes and suffixes can be added to it.In the word 'unbelievable', the base word is 'believe'.
Root WordA core part of a word that holds the primary meaning, often derived from Latin or Greek. Unlike a base word, a root often cannot stand alone as a word in English.In 'transport', the root is 'port' (from Latin 'portare', to carry). 'Port' can be a word, but here it functions as a root.
PrefixA word part added to the beginning of a base or root word that changes its meaning.The prefix 'pre-' in 'preview' means 'before'.
SuffixA word part added to the end of a base or root word that changes its meani...
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Key Rules & Conventions
The Function Rule
Prefixes primarily change meaning. Suffixes can change meaning and/or part of speech.
Use this to understand a word's core function. A prefix like 'un-' negates the meaning (happy -> unhappy). A suffix like '-ness' changes an adjective to a noun (happy -> happiness).
Spelling Change Rule (Suffixes)
Adding a suffix that begins with a vowel often requires a spelling change in the base word.
Common changes include dropping the final 'e' (believe + -able = believable), or doubling the final consonant (run + -ing = running). Be aware of these when identifying the original base word.
The Layering Principle
Words can have multiple prefixes and/or suffixes layered onto a single base or root.
To deconstruct these, wor...
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Challenging
In the sentence, 'The novel's convoluted plot was difficult to follow,' the word 'convoluted' contains the Latin root 'volut' (to roll, to turn). How do the prefix and suffix contribute to its meaning?
A.'con-' (against) and '-ed' (a person who) mean it is a person who rolls against things.
B.'con-' (with, together) and '-ed' (past tense/adjective) mean it is literally 'rolled together', implying complexity.
C.'con-' (under) and '-ed' (a place where) mean it is a place for rolling.
D.'con-' is a false prefix, and '-ed' simply makes the word an adjective.
Challenging
An author might describe a character's smile as 'inscrutable'. Given that the root 'scrut' relates to 'to examine' (as in 'scrutinize'), what is the most precise meaning of 'inscrutable' and what rhetorical effect does this word choice have?
A.Meaning: easily examined; Effect: creates a sense of clarity and honesty.
B.Meaning: worthy of examination; Effect: creates a sense of importance and intrigue.
C.Meaning: impossible to examine or understand; Effect: creates a sense of mystery and ambiguity.
D.Meaning: examined before; Effect: creates a sense of familiarity and comfort.
Challenging
While 're-' is a common prefix, it is a 'false prefix' in the word 'religion'. Which piece of evidence best supports this claim according to the tutorial's logic?
A.The word 'ligion' can stand on its own as a base word in English.
B.The word comes from the Latin 'religare' (to bind fast), where 're-' is part of the original root, not a later addition.
C.Many religious texts are reread multiple times.
D.The prefix 're-' always means 'again' and that does not fit the meaning of religion.
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