Root Words, Prefixes, and Suffixes

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Root Words, Prefixes, and Suffixes

• What are they?

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Why are we studying root words, prefixes, and
suffixes?

• The English language didnt happen overnight.
  Over many years new words have been created and
  added by taking from other languages such as
  Greek and Latin.
• You can greatly expand your vocabulary by
  learning just a few of these Greek and Latin root
  words, prefixes, and suffixes.

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Root Words

• A root word is the most basic form of a word that
  is able to convey a particular description,
  thought or meaning. (http//www.prefixsuffix.com/r
  ootwords.php?navblks1011000)
• Examples aqua in aquarium, geo in geography,
  micro microvolt

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Prefixes

• A prefix is a grouping of letters that comes
  before a word or stem of a word.
• Examples at- in attend, bene- in benefit, and
  semi- in semifinal

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Suffixes

• A suffix is a group of letters that attaches to
  the end of a word or stem of a word.
• Examples -ant in fragrant, -ess in goddess, -ism
  in formalism