Identify base words, prefixes, and suffixes

Key Notes:

What is a Base Word?

The base word is the main part of a word. It’s like the root of a tree! We can add things to the base word to make new words. The base word has meaning on its own.

Here are some examples:

• play (We can play games!)
• jump (I can jump high!)
• happy (The sun makes me happy!)
• help (I like to help my friends.)

What is a Prefix?

A prefix is a group of letters that we add to the beginning of a base word. It changes the meaning of the word. Think of ‘pre’ fix as ‘before’ fix.

Here are some common prefixes:

• un- (means ‘not’)
• re- (means ‘again’)
• pre- (means ‘before’)
• dis- (means ‘not’ or ‘opposite of’)

Let’s see some examples:

• unhappy (not happy)
• replay (play again)
• preview (view before)
• disagree (not agree)

What is a Suffix?

A suffix is a group of letters that we add to the end of a base word. It also changes the meaning of the word or how it’s used. Think of ‘suff’ as stuff at the end.

Here are some common suffixes:

• -ing (means ‘happening now’)
• -ed (means ‘happened in the past’)
• -er (means ‘someone who’ or ‘more’)
• -est (means ‘the most’)

Let’s see some examples:

• playing (happening now)
• jumped (happened in the past)
• teacher (someone who teaches)
• happiest (the most happy)

Practice Time!

Word: Replaying Prefix: re- Base Word: play Suffix: -ing Word: Disagree Prefix: dis-Base Word: agree Suffix: None

Word: Unbreakable Prefix: un- Base Word: break Suffix: -able Word: Player Prefix: None Base Word: play Suffix: -er

Keep Exploring!

You’re now on your way to becoming a super Word Detective! Keep practicing finding base words, prefixes, and suffixes in all the words you read and hear. The more you practice, the better you’ll become!

Happy word hunting!

Let’s practice!