Word Parts Reference Sheet
Word Parts Quick Reference
Roots, Base Words, Prefixes & Suffixes Explained
ELA Reference Sheet
1
Base Word vs. Root
Core Meaning Units
Key Definition & Example
While a base word can stand alone as an independent English word that affixes attach to (such as happy in unhappiness), a root is a foundational morpheme—often from Latin or Greek—that cannot typically stand alone in English without affixes attached (such as the Latin root rupt, meaning “break,” in disrupt or eruption).
Base Word Stands Alone
A complete, standalone English word that retains its meaning even when all affixes are removed.
Example Breakdown: re- + heat = reheat
Heat is already an independent English word.
Root (Bound Morpheme) Cannot Stand Alone
A foundational word part (usually Greek or Latin) needing prefixes or suffixes to form an English word.
Example Breakdown: trans- + port = transport
Latin portare (“to carry”) is not used alone.
2
Prefix vs. Suffix
Word Modifiers (Affixes)
Key Definition & Example
A prefix attaches to the front of a base word or root to modify its meaning (such as adding un- to kind to create unkind, meaning “not kind”), whereas a suffix attaches to the end to alter its meaning, tense, or grammatical part of speech (such as adding -ful to help to create helpful, shifting a noun into an adjective).
Prefix (Beginning) Front
Affix added before the root or base word to alter meaning, direction, or timing.
Common Examples:
- pre- (before): preview, predict
- mis- (wrongly): misjudge, misread
- re- (again): rewrite, restart
Suffix (Ending) End
Affix added after the root or base word; often shifts part of speech or verb tense.
Common Examples:
- -able (capable of): usable, breakable
- -ly (manner): quickly, calmly
- -ment (state/result): payment, movement
Putting It All Together: Word Construction Formulas
un- + break + -able
= unbreakable Prefix + Base Word + Suffix (“not able to be broken”)
con- + struct + -ion
= construction Prefix + Latin Root (struct = build) + Suffix (“act of building together”)
