Prefixes are added to the beginning of a word:
* un- in "unhappy"
* re- in "rewrite"
* pre- in "prehistoric"
Suffixes are added to the end of a word:
* -ing in "walking"
* -ed in "played"
* -ly in "quickly"
* -ness in "happiness"
Infixes are added within a word, but they are rare in English:
* -a- in "abso-bloody-lutely" (informal)
Here are some key points about affixes:
* Affixes can change the part of speech of a word. For example, adding "-er" to "teach" makes it a noun ("teacher").
* Affixes can change the meaning of a word. For example, adding "un-" to "happy" makes it mean the opposite.
* Affixes can indicate grammatical features. For example, adding "-ed" to a verb indicates past tense.
Understanding affixes is crucial for:
* Vocabulary development: Recognizing affixes can help you understand the meaning of new words.
* Grammar: Affixes are used to form different grammatical structures, such as plurals, possessives, and verb tenses.
* Reading comprehension: Understanding the meaning of affixes can help you interpret the meaning of complex words and sentences.
Let me know if you'd like to explore specific types of affixes or examples in more detail!