Using Inflections and Affixes to Define Words Worksheets

Related ELA Standard: L.K.4.B

Core Standard
Answer Keys Here

Inflections are those extra letters (usually s and y) that we add to different parts of speech to change their grammatical form. Some basic examples would be to add -es to the following words: miss, wish, and potato. As we can see an inflection may change the tense or possession of a word. Affixes are suffixes that we add to root words to completely change their meaning. For example a toy may be operable, meaning it works. We could add the prefix in- to that root (inoperable) and that completely changes the functionality of the word or toy in this case.

Using Inflections and Affixes to Define Words Worksheets To Print:

Identify and Use: Suffix -ed – Time to work on the past tense verbs in this one.

Suffix -ed Crossword – Find and define the words in the puzzle.

Suffixes -s and -es – We go all in on plurals and definitions here.

Prefix re- – Yeah, you need to use this one again! Get it?

Prefix pre- – I know that happened before!

Prefix un- – Adding the prefix un- to a word means that it will have the opposite meaning.

Prefix un- 2 – Circle the verbs with the prefix un- and define.

Suffixes -s – The suffix -s makes a noun plural, meaning more than one. Rewrite the nouns as plural nouns and define.

Prefix re- – Write the word formed with the root word and the prefix re- and define the new word. The first one has been done for you.

Suffix -less Crossword – The suffix -less means that a noun is without something.

Suffix -less – Write a newly formed word using the root word and the prefix -less, and then define the new word.

Using the Prefix un- to Understand Words – Write the word formed and explain the meaning of each word.

Prefix pre- – The prefix pre- means that an action happened ahead of time.

Suffix -ful – The suffix -ful means that a noun is full of something.

Suffix -ful 2 – Rewrite the words by adding the -ful suffix and define.

Inflections and Affixes – Pick the appropriate inflection or affix for each root word.

Using the Suffix -less to Understand Words – You can use the suffix (-less) to help you understand the meaning of words.

How to Use Inflections and Affixes to Define Words?

Inflection is basically defined as the process of the formation of words. Items are added to the base form of a term in order to express grammatical meanings. The word inflection itself is derived from the Latin term inflectere, which can be interpreted as 'to bend'.


In the English language, inflections typically include the plural s, the third person singular s, the past tense d, the negative particle nt and many others. As we can see above, inflections can take many forms. However, these generally come in the form of prefixes and suffixes.


A prefix, as the 'pre' suggests, is a word or letter that is attached before another. So an example of a prefix would be 'dis', which can be added to appear to make the word disappear or attached to the word honest to make the term dishonest. Another example is 'un' which makes words like untidy and unfriendly.


On the other hand, suffixes are known as a morpheme that is applied to the end of a word to augment it. Therefore, a suitable example would be 'berry', which is used to make terms (predominantly fruits) like blueberry, strawberry and raspberry. Another popular example is 'ing' which creates multiple words like running, doing, creating and breathing.


The main purpose of affixes is to properly express a variety of grammatical categories. If the suffix 's' is attached to cat or dog, it delineates to the reader or speaker that the noun in this case is plural and not singular.


Also, if the suffix 'ed' is employed, it shows past tense. This will mean that walk becomes walked and use is now used. Therefore, we can comprehend the significance of prefixes and suffixes. They are vital for understanding the tense, number of person in a particular case.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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