Word Roots

The basic words in English, without any suffixes or prefixes, can be categorized as Root words. Moreover, to describe root words, it can be said that root words are complete words that can not be broken further. It can build its meaning without taking the help of suffixes and prefixes in the English language. Identification of root words and description of their types are the main topic in this context. 

Root words 

Root words have originated from the ancient Greek and Latin words and the primitive root words have no meaning alone. “Aer”, “Biblio” and “Arche” are some ancient root words that can not stand alone and are unable to form any meaning themselves. However, the definition of root words is some basic words in English that can create their meaning without utilizing the suffix or prefix string. Moreover, with the utilization of prefixes and adding the suffixes; it can change their meaning with the formation of a new word. In the English language, most of the words have a base of root words or more than one root. There are also some words with more than two suffixes and prefixes which attach with the roots and form a new word meaning. 

Identification of root words is done by identifying the base words first and after that acknowledging the amicable suffixes and prefixes. Root word definition can be illustrated by word factors and elements from which other words can be grown in English Grammar. 

Types of Root Words 

In the English language, there are almost 120 root words that have been identified, which are commonly originated from Greek and Latin. Moreover, there are common root words as well as Greek root words which add with the suffixes and prefixes. 

Table 1: Types of Root Words with suffixes, prefixes, and Origins

(Source: Self-created)

Apart from the Latin, German and Dutch Root words; there are some Greek common Root words and Greek ancient Root words. Some Root words with their meanings have been given below. 

Table 2: Types of Root Words and their Meanings

(Source: Self-created)

The root word types and their meanings are given above and by adding the suffixes and prefixes it can be formed in a new meaning. The word Inter has a meaning which has been illustrated in the table and by adding suffixes like “sect” it can form a new meaning. The suffixes of “sect” and “ject” can transfer the word into “Intersect” and “interject”.  The word Ambi has a meaning which has been illustrated in the table and adding suffixes like “dextrous” can form a new meaning. The suffixes of “dextrous” and “vert” can transfer the word into “ambidextrous” and “ambivert”.  

Example of Root Words 

Some examples of Root words with providing the utilization of suffixes and prefixes and their origin have been given below. 

Table 3: Examples of Root Words with suffixes, prefixes, origins, and meanings

(Source: Self-created)

In the above table, there are 6 root words illustrated with their suffixes, prefixes, origins, and their meanings. The word “Omni” has the meaning of all and the root there has been added three suffixes and one prefix to make three new words. The word “Bene” has the meaning of Good and in the root word, there has been added three suffixes and one prefix to make three new words. Grade and heart are two root words that have produced two new words like downhearted and downgraded. The root word hyper has produced three new words by adding the suffixes of active, reactive, and tension. 

Difference between Root and Base Words 

The fundamental words which can be exceeded from morphemes or can be bounded with the morphemes are known as Root words. The fundamental words free of morphemes are generally stand-alone and the bounded words are added with some suffixes and prefixes. Origin of root words are basically from Latin and Greek, however, there are some dutch and English rooted root words as well. 

Conclusion

The basic words in English, without any suffixes or prefixes, can be categorized as Root words. With the utilization of prefixes and suffixes root words can form a word with a little difference in their meaning. Most of the words have a base of root words or more than one root. Some basic knowledge of root words and their differences with the base words should be kept in mind to utilize them in diverse topics.