Study Guide for Roots, Prefixes, and Suffixes Quiz: Wednesday, December 18th

A root is the essential part of a word. It carries the words basic or most important meaning.

A prefix comes before the root. It can, and often does, change the meaning of the word.

A suffix comes after the root. It can, and often does, change the meaning of the word. A suffix can also change the part of speech.

The Greek root chronos means time. English words having this root include chronicle, chronological, and synchronize.

Four common noun suffixes are ship, ness, ment, and tion.

Four ways to find out a words meaning include: consult a dictionary, look online, look for context clues, and try to figure out the meaning of a words prefix, suffix, and root.

Roots Prefixes Suffixes

dens - tooth dis- not, opposite -able - can be done

frango/frag/fract - break

im-/in-/un- not -al - having characterisitcs of

chronos/chron - time mis- wrongly -ful - full of

grapho/graph- write/draw

re- again -less - without

annu/anni- year ex- out, from -ly in a (specified) way

bio- life hemi- half -y - characterized by, having the quality of

circ - small ring neo- new

cycl - wheel, circle Common noun Suffixes

dict - say, tell -ment

grat/grac - thankful -ness

logos/logy - word, study of -tion -

man(us) - hand -ship

Rupt - break

vis/vid - see