Affixes

Ex.2, p. 182

Prefixes and suffixes are generally known as affixes. Affixes create new words, usually by changing the meaning of a root word. 

A prefix is a letter or group of letters added to the beginning of a word to make a new word: In the word '”UNHAPPY”, 'UN-' is a prefix added to HAPPY. UN- is a Latin word for NOT.

A suffix on the other hand is a letter or group of letters added to the end of a word to make another word. The suffix NESS added to the end of the word TOGETHER creates another word TOGETHERNESS. A good knowledge of English prefixes and suffixes will help students develop vocabulary without the need to always check their dictionary.

Since English is a language that has thousands of words from other languages, a brief description of commonly used prefixes and suffixes would do much good.