Identify base words, prefixes, and suffixes

Key Notes:

Definition of Base Words:

• Base words (or root words) are the main part of a word that provides its basic meaning.
• Examples: “happy” in “unhappy”, “play” in “playing”.

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Understanding Prefixes:

• A prefix is a group of letters added to the beginning of a base word to change its meaning.
• Common prefixes for grade 3:
  • un- (means “not” or “opposite of”): unhappy (not happy)
  • re- (means “again” or “back”): rewrite (write again)
  • pre- (means “before”): preview (view before)
  • dis- (means “not” or “opposite of”): disconnect (not connect)

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Understanding Suffixes:

• A suffix is a group of letters added to the end of a base word to change its meaning or part of speech.
• Common suffixes for grade 3:
  • -ing (indicates an ongoing action): playing (the act of play)
  • -ed (indicates a past action): played (the action of play in the past)
  • -er (indicates a person who performs an action or compares): teacher (a person who teaches), bigger (more big)
  • -ful (means “full of”): joyful (full of joy)

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How Prefixes and Suffixes Change Meanings:

• Explain how adding prefixes and suffixes changes the meaning of the base word.
• Example: “happy” (base word) + “un-” (prefix) = “unhappy” (opposite of happy).
• Example: “play” (base word) + “-ing” (suffix) = “playing” (the act of playing).

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Identifying Base Words in Modified Words:

• Practice breaking down words to identify the base word.
• Example: “unhappily” can be broken down into the base word “happy” with the prefix “un-” and suffix “-ly”.

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Let’s practice!