HH.1 Identify base words, prefixes, and suffixes
What are base words?
Base words are simple words that carry the main meaning. Other words can be formed by adding prefixes or suffixes to them.
- help → helpful, helping, helpless
- play → replay, player, playful
- kind → kindness, unkind
A base word can stand on its own as a complete word.
What are prefixes?
Prefixes are groups of letters added to the beginning of a base word. They change the word’s meaning.
- un + happy → unhappy (not happy)
- re + read → reread (read again)
- pre + heat → preheat (heat before)
Knowing prefixes helps you understand the meaning of new words quickly.
What are suffixes?
Suffixes are groups of letters added to the end of a base word. They often change how the word is used in a sentence.
- teach + er → teacher (a person who teaches)
- hope + ful → hopeful (full of hope)
- run + ing → running (happening now)
Suffixes can change a word’s part of speech, such as from a noun to an adjective.
How prefixes and suffixes work together
You can add both a prefix and a suffix to a base word to create a new word with a new meaning.
- un + help + ful → unhelpful (not helpful)
- re + play + ing → replaying (playing again)
- mis + use + ed → misused (used wrongly)
Prefixes and suffixes never stand alone. They must be attached to base words.
Why base words, prefixes, and suffixes matter
Understanding base words, prefixes, and suffixes helps you figure out the meaning of unfamiliar words when you read and write.
- “She was careful while crossing the street.” (care + ful)
- “He will rebuild the sandcastle.” (re + build)
- “The child felt hopeless after losing the game.” (hope + less)
This skill makes you a stronger reader and writer.