Word Formation
Word formation is the process of creating new words by adding prefixes, suffixes, or combining words. It helps in expanding vocabulary and understanding how words function in different contexts.
1. Prefixation (Adding a Prefix)
A prefix is a group of letters added at the beginning of a word to change its meaning.
un- → not/opposite (e.g., unhappy, unclear)
dis- → opposite of (e.g., dislike, disconnect)
re- → again (e.g., rewrite, rebuild)
mis- → wrongly (e.g., mislead, misjudge)
pre- → before (e.g., preview, prepay)
anti- → against (e.g., antifreeze, antisocial)
2. Suffixation (Adding a Suffix)
A suffix is a group of letters added at the end of a word to form a new word.
-er/-or → person who does (e.g., teacher, actor)
-ness → state of being (e.g., happiness, darkness)
-able → capable of being (e.g., readable, comfortable)
-ful → full of (e.g., hopeful, beautiful)
-ment → result of an action (e.g., development, achievement)
-ly → in a certain manner (e.g., quickly, happily)
3. Compound Words
Compound words are formed by joining two or more words together.
Open compounds → ice cream, full moon
Closed compounds → notebook, bedroom
Hyphenated compounds → mother-in-law, well-being
4. Conversion (Changing the Word Class)
Some words change their function without adding a prefix or suffix.
Noun → Verb: email → to email, water → to water
Verb → Noun: run → a run, talk → a talk
Exercise on Word Formation
A. Add a suitable prefix to form a new word: ( im, in, un, )
1. ____correct
2. ____possible
3. ____do
4. ____happy
5. ____active
B. Add a suitable suffix to form a new word: (ness, able, less,er, or)
1. Kind → __________
2. Move → __________
3. Help → __________
4. Teach → __________
5. Hope → __________
C. Identify the compound words in the following sentences:
1. My grandmother loves storytelling.
2. The sunlight was very bright today.
3. She bought a bookshelf for her room.
4. We went to the airport early in the morning.
5. The firefighter saved the cat.
D. Change the word form as instructed in brackets:
1. She is a very (create – adjective) person.
2. He showed great (kind – noun) to the poor.
3. We must (beauty – verb) our surroundings.
4. The new law will lead to the (develop – noun) of the town.
5. The children were playing (happy – adverb) in the park.
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