How to Find Root Words?

Most of English words are created by starting with simple words and embellishing them with various prefixes and suffixes. Learning the root words in English with meanings and examples will help you remember things easily. Here we have given in-depth information about how to find root words in English. Candidates can utilize this for their preparation.

Step 1: What are Root Words?

A root word, also known as a base word, is a real and complete word. They can be used alone in sentences and have their own definitions. However, they can also be made into new words by adding affixes. Affixes are word parts added to the front or end of root words to create brand-new words. Affixes are also known as prefixes and suffixes, which will be described later.

Step 2: Word Families

One way to recognize root words is to become familiar with word families. Word families refer to a group of words that share the same letter patterns. They can be used to not only identify certain words but pronounce them correctly as well. Here we have provided some of the word families which is given below.

• -ight- night, right, fight, sight, flight
• -ock- clock, knock, flock, sock, rock
• -ore- core, sore, pore, shore, more

Step 3: Prefixes

Prefixes are placed at the beginning of root words to create new words. The prefixes have their own definitions that are combined with the definitions of the root words they are connected to. When this connection is made, the meaning of the root word is changed. 

Examples:

• circum- circumference, circumvent, circumstantial
• extra- extradite, extraterrestrial, extracurricular
• hydro- hydroelectric, hydrophobic, hydroplane

Step 4: Suffixes

Suffixes are placed at the end of root words to create new words. Like prefixes, they have their own definitions that connect to the definitions of root words. When they are connected to root words, they change or enhance the root word's meaning.

Examples:

• -cide - patricide, infanticide, herbicide. suicide
• -ist - pacifist, terrorist, socialist, communist
• -logy - biology, geology, etymology, cardiology

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