Explain the process of affixation in word formation.

Word Formation Questions



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Explain the process of affixation in word formation.

Affixation is a process of word formation where affixes, which are bound morphemes, are added to a base or root word to create a new word with a different meaning or grammatical function. Affixes can be either prefixes, which are added to the beginning of a word, or suffixes, which are added to the end of a word.

When a prefix is added, it modifies the meaning of the base word. For example, adding the prefix "un-" to the word "happy" creates the word "unhappy," which means not happy.

On the other hand, when a suffix is added, it can change the grammatical function of the base word or create a new word altogether. For instance, adding the suffix "-er" to the verb "teach" results in the noun "teacher," indicating a person who teaches.

Affixation allows for the creation of new words and expands the vocabulary of a language. It is a common process in English and many other languages.