Learning Affixation to Boost Vocabulary

Affixation – prefixes and suffixes

Learning affixation is a key way of rapidly understanding many new English words. A practical knowledge of affixation boosts vocabulary, increases reading speed and can help in passing exams.

Affixation – what is it?

An affixation is an addition to the base form of a word used to modify meaning and create a new word. Added to the beginning, this affixation is called a prefix. At the end, it is a suffix.

Knowledge of prefixes and suffixes instantly unlocks a multitude of new vocabulary. Learning these word parts reduces the need to memorise lists of words one-by-one.

Are you ready to unlock hundreds of new words?

Prefixes – what are they?

We already know a prefix is added at the beginning but what is it? Let’s review the word ‘write’.

write (verb) = to make marks (letters, words, numbers) on a surface (paper, screen) with a pen, pencil or keyboard

What about rewrite?

rewrite (verb) = to write something AGAIN in order to change or improve it

The “re-” is an example of a prefix and it simply means again.

And what about the word in the image for this post?

rethink (verb) = to think AGAIN about a plan or an idea in order to change or improve it

Can you think on any other examples using re-?

redo, reheat, retry, rebuild, remarry

Let’s look at a different prefix.

The prefix “un-” means not. It can also mean lacking or opposite of.

Can you think on any examples using un-?

undo, unhappy, untie

Suffixes – what are they?

We know a suffix is added at the end but what is it? Let’s review the word ‘wash’.

wash (verb) = to clean something using water.

What about washable?

washable (adjective) = ABLE to be washed without being damaged (often used on clothing labels for washing machines)

The suffix “-able” is usually added to verbs to form adjectives and tells us that it is able to receive the action of the verb. It can be done.

Can you think on other examples using -able?

readable, likeable, walkable

Prefixes and Suffixes in the same word

Let’s review the word ‘break’?

break (verb) = to stop working, become damaged; to separate into pieces

What about unbreakable?

unbreakable (adjective) = is NOT ABLE to be broken

Let’s look at another word that can have both a suffix and a prefix.

comfort (noun) = a pleasant feeling of being relaxed; free of pain

What about comfortable?

comfortable (adjective) = ABLE to provide a pleasant feeling, physical ease and relaxation

And uncomfortable?

uncomfortable (adjective) = NOT ABLE to feel comfortable or pleasant

With knowledge of these 15 simple base words:

build, break, comfort, do, happy, heat, like, marry, read, think, tie, try, walk, wash, write

You have already learnt an additional 30 new words:

unbuildable, rebuild, unbreakable, breakable, uncomfortable, comfortable, undo, redo, doable, unhappy, reheat, likeable, unlike, unlikeable, remarry, unmarried, readable, unread, unreadable, rethink, unthinkable, retie, untie, retry, walkable, rewash, unwashed, washable, rewrite, unwritten