Explain the relationship between word roots and prefixes/suffixes.

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Explain the relationship between word roots and prefixes/suffixes.

The relationship between word roots and prefixes/suffixes is that they work together to form complete words.

A word root is the core or base of a word, which carries the main meaning. It is usually derived from Greek or Latin and remains unchanged when combined with prefixes or suffixes. For example, the word root "bio" means life, and it can be found in words like biology, biography, and antibiotic.

On the other hand, prefixes are added to the beginning of a word root to modify its meaning. They can change the tense, quantity, or direction of the word. For instance, the prefix "un-" added to the word root "happy" changes the meaning to "unhappy."

Suffixes, on the other hand, are added to the end of a word root to modify its meaning or function. They can indicate the part of speech, tense, or plurality of the word. For example, the suffix "-er" added to the word root "teach" changes it to "teacher."

By combining word roots with prefixes and suffixes, we can create a wide range of words with different meanings and functions. This allows us to expand our vocabulary and communicate more effectively. Understanding the relationship between word roots and prefixes/suffixes can also help in deciphering the meaning of unfamiliar words by breaking them down into their constituent parts.